During his career he played for Hebburn Argyle, Watford, Nottingham Forest and West Stanley, primarily as an inside right.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Ronald started his career at nearby Hebburn Argyle, before transferring to Watford in June 1914 for an undisclosed fee.
[3][5] Ronald's third season at Watford coincided with their first in the newly formed Football League Third Division.
[8] After two seasons largely as a reserve player, he moved to West Stanley in 1923, before rejoining Watford the following year.
After failing to make a first team appearance, Ronald retired as a player in 1925, remaining as a coach until the conclusion of the Second World War and resumption of peacetime football in 1946.