He signed for Burnley in 1884 playing and scoring regularly at senior level up to the formation of the Football League.
Burnley' visitors were high-flying Blackburn Rovers, one of the "Big Four" of that season and the result showed the difference in class.
The second-half continued as a Rovers procession towards Fred Poland' goal and by the end of the match Burnley were well beaten 7–1.
West Brom had a great Cup run that season and reached the semi-finals and they swept Burnley aside 5–1.
His final appearance in League football was the last game of the season at County Ground, Derby when again he was on the losing side.