Canning started his career at Kilmarnock, making his debut on 23 August 2001 in a 1–0 win over Glenavon in the UEFA Cup.
[1] However Canning struggled to establish himself in the side and was released by Kilmarnock in 2005, joining Stirling Albion.
[2] He remained at Forthbank Stadium for a short time, later joining Dumbarton,[3] where he established himself in the first team, making over 90 appearances in all competitions during a three-year spell.
Despite helping the side to the Scottish Third Division title, Canning was released by the club at the end of the season, instead signing with Albion Rovers.
This biographical article related to association football in Scotland, about a midfielder born in the 1980s, is a stub.