Despite being a Stoke City fan,[3] Machin started his playing career at nearby Port Vale, signing professional forms in July 1962.
[6] His spell at Bournemouth ended after 110 appearances in December 1973, when he followed Bond to Norwich City, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.
He conceded a penalty in the 1975 League Cup final defeat to Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium, handling on the line to prevent a headed goal from Chris Nicholl.
In the first season in the top-flight, his team beat local rivals Manchester United by 5–1 on 23 September 1989, in what Alex Ferguson described as the lowest point of his career.
[6] Machin then worked as a scout for West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool before he was appointed manager of Bournemouth in September 1994.
In his first season at the helm he managed to keep the club in the Second Division despite a start with seven consecutive defeats and a serious financial crisis, this feat later became known as "The Great Escape".