[2] Marsh was born in Westhoughton, 4 miles (6 km) southwest of Bolton, Lancashire.
[3] After playing his youth football with Daisy Hill and Hindley, he joined Atherton Church House before signing as a professional for Bolton Wanderers in 1902.
[3] He was the top scorer in the Football League Second Division during the 1904–05 season, with 27 goals.
[1] In his ten years with Bolton, Marsh made a total of 201 first-team appearances, scoring 81 goals.
[2] After only one season at Bury, in which he played three league matches, Marsh retired.