He played domestically for Inverness Caledonian and in English non-league football for Hull City, Darlington and Hurst.
A "tall, muscular and heavy" man whose "methods were crude", the contrast between his lack of technique and the "intense seriousness" with which he pursued his task caused the crowd considerable amusement.
On the other hand, "his unflagging energy and his desire to render good service were very apparent", he produced a headed clearance with his goalkeeper beaten that prevented the visitors from equalising, and his dribble from the full-back position to within 25 yards (23 m) of goal was instrumental in Bury going 2–0 ahead.
Standing in for the unfit Tom Millington, McLeod scored with a penalty kick, but Blackburn won 6–2.
He played twice during their run to the second round (last 32) of the 1911–12 FA Cup – Dick Jackson was preferred in the other matches – and scored three goals as Darlington finished third in the North-Eastern League.