Marcroft began his career playing in the Lancashire League for Bacup Borough and Great Harwood where his performances prompted First Division side Middlesbrough to sign him for £200.
[1][3] He made a goalscoring debut in January 1932, earning his side a point in a 1–1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday,[4] but never played another senior game for the club before joining Queens Park Rangers in May 1932.
[1] In 1933, he joined Third Division South side Cardiff City in a swap deal that saw George Emmerson move the other way.
[1] He returned north, playing for Accrington Stanley, Bacup Borough and Rochdale before joining Macclesfield Town in August 1937.
[3] In two seasons, he played over 60 league games for Macclesfield before his career was ended by the outbreak of World War II.