Born and raised in London, Bassett played for a variety of local clubs in his teenage years, including Deptford Invicta, Croydon Common, Metrogas and Charlton Albion.

County achieved a sixteenth-placed finish the following season, before league football was suspended due to the First World War.

During this time he played as a wartime guest player for London clubs Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.

He helped them to a 2nd-placed finish on goal average in 1919–20, and the following year played in their inaugural Football League campaign.

He was sold to rivals Luton Town for £200 in 1921, and was reported to the league for demanding a percentage of the fee.