McQuade started his career with Dumbarton in 1987, just before the Boghead Park club suffered relegation out of the First Division in 1987–88 under the stewardship of Mark Clougherty and Bertie Auld.
The Douglas Park club bounced straight back under new boss Sandy Clark, securing promotion out of the Second Division with the runners-up spot in 1996–97, a whole ten points clear of third-placed Livingston.
The "Accies" finished eighth in 1997–98, just two points ahead of relegated Partick Thistle; he made 30 appearances throughout the campaign.
John Philliben's "Binos" finished seventh in the Second Division in 1999–2000; during the campaign, McQuade scored a total of 16 goals in 41 games.
Having fallen out of the first-team at Victoria Park, he moved on to Ian Wilson's Third Division side Peterhead in January 2002,[3] before leaving Balmoor the following month.