[1] His football career started in the Cheshire County League before joining Burnley as a trainee aged 17 in February 1932.
[1] He was offered a trial at Manchester United but the Burnley management refused him permission, following which he joined Preston North End.
[1] He made his debut for Leicester on 1 September 1934, when he scored the consolation goal in a 3–1 defeat at Chelsea in the Football League Division One.
[1] In May 1935, Summers joined another First Division club, Derby County, where he was used as cover for the England international, Sammy Crooks.
Summers retained his place for the remainder of the season, other than a period over Easter 1937,[6] and "formed an encouraging partnership"[1] with Dick Neal who played alongside him at inside-right.