A goalkeeper, Vaughan came up through the youth ranks at West Ham United although he didn't make a first team appearance at Upton Park.
During the following season Vaughan fell out of favour once Beck had been sacked and subsequent United managers Ian Atkins and Gary Johnson preferred either Jon Sheffield or John Filan much of the time.
At the end of the 1992/93 season Vaughan was released and joined Charlton Athletic where he made 6 appearances as back-up goalkeeper to Bob Bolder.
When John Beck had taken over as manager of Preston North End he took Vaughan with him and he made 66 appearances at Deepdale.
He wound down his league career with loan spells at Colchester United and Chesterfield before moving into coaching.