[2] He joined Preston North End in season 1884–85 (moving to England discounted him from further Scotland caps at that time), and played in the 1888 FA Cup Final against West Bromwich Albion at Kennington Oval on 24 March 1888.

On his debut he was the oldest player in the competition, although one week later Joe Beverley of Blackburn Rovers took this distinction.

When Graham played as a wing-half on 6 October 1888 against Stoke, he was 31 years 226 days old; that made him, on that fifth weekend of League football, Preston North End's oldest player.

The 1889 FA Cup Final was played at Kennington Oval on 30 March 1889 and the opponents were Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Though he never got on the score sheet for North End during their League days, he did create a number of goalscoring opportunities for the likes of John Goodall and Jimmy Ross with his long throws.