Phil Bratley started his footballing career with his local amateur side Rawmarsh before transferring to Football League Second Division side Doncaster Rovers in 1902 where he played three games between 27 September and 11 October.
[4][7] He scored Barnsley's winning goal in their semi-final replay with Swindon[4] and won a FA Cup winners medal in the final when Barnsley beat West Bromwich Albion in a replay after the first match ended goalless.
[4] Bratley almost scored in the replay; Barnsley had forced a corner and Bratley headed the ball towards the line, only a jumping save at the edge of the goal by Pearson the WBA goalkeeper prevented a goal.
[6] In December 1915, during the First World War, Bratley attested under the Derby Scheme and was placed in the Army Reserve.
[2] In April 1918, he was mobilised into the Coldstream Guards, but did not see combat before his demobilisation in January 1919.