[7] The 1911 Census finds the 21-year-old Burke living in Hebburn with his parents and four younger brothers, working for shipbuilders Hawthorne Leslie as an engine fitter's labourer.
[10] He made his first-team debut on 22 March 1913, standing in for the injured Tom Heslop at left half in a draw at home to Bristol City in the Second Division, and played twice the following season.
[1][11] Burke had joined the Territorial Force in 1908 – at which time he stood only 5 ft 3+3⁄4 in (1.62 m) in height – and committed to service in the Royal Field Artillery as soon as the First World War began.
[1][14] Burke returned to his native County Durham where he signed for Darlington of the newly formed Football League Third Division North in July 1921.
[4] The 1939 Register finds Burke working as a grinder and living in Wordsworth Avenue, Hebburn, with his wife Elizabeth and one adult son.