He went to Spennymoor Grammar School, and later played amateur football for Tow Law Town.
He was signed by Newcastle United, but never played above reserve level for them, eventually giving up to join the police force.
He served at Cassop and Quarrington Hill, also playing football for their local teams.
He was appointed to the Football League Cup Final of 1982, when Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3–1, after extra time.
This appointment made him one of very few non-FIFA referees to control both major English Cup Finals.
In the 78th minute of normal time he sent off Kevin Moran of Manchester United[4] after a foul on Everton's Peter Reid 40 yards (37 m) away from goal.
His last match was at Goodison Park where Everton needed to beat Southampton to have any chance of retaining the league title.