Born in Birmingham, England, Child signed with English First Division club Aston Villa when he turned fourteen in 1966.
When Child arrived in Atlanta during the 1972 NASL season, he promptly scored eight goals in twelve games and was named a first team All Star.
In 1974, the Apollo traded Child to the expansion San Jose Earthquakes where he led the league in scoring with fifteen goals and six assists.
The Earthquakes won the title and Child led the scoring, gaining MVP honors, with seven goals in four games.
In 1981, Child signed with the Pittsburgh Spirit of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).
In 1995, Child became the head coach of the Detroit Neon of the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL).
[3] On October 5, 1998, the A-League Pittsburgh Riverhounds hired Child as the team's director of youth development.
He is currently coach of a youth team composed of young refugees, BW United, in suburban Pittsburgh.