As a player, he played as a defender for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday.
[2] He made 16 league appearances for Wolves prior to signing for Oldham Athletic in November 1966 for a fee of £12,000.
[2] He joined Preston North End for £35,000 in December 1967 before switching to Blackburn Rovers in July 1969 for £45,000.
[2] He was sold to Hull City in March 1971 for £60,000 before joining Sheffield Wednesday two years later, where he would retire in January 1976.
[4] After briefly working as a scout for Manchester United, he became Orient manager in October 1981, but the club were relegated to the Third Division and Knighton was sacked in May 1983 when they struggled in the following season.