Elam was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire and began his footballing career in 1998 with Conference National side Southport.

After leaving Southport at the end of the 2001–02 season, Elam joined fellow Conference side Morecambe.

Elam made only one appearance during the month of November for the Brewers before moving back to Morecambe for the remainder of the season.

Elam made 23 appearances for Weymouth during the 2006–07 season before the entire first team was transfer listed on 10 January 2007 after the club decided to cut their financial costs.

[6] York manager Colin Walker was unable to offer Elam a contract, but failed to rule out signing him eventually.

[11] In 2010, Elam left Northwich Victoria having made 41 appearances for the side, scoring no goals, and joined Stalybridge Celtic.