Moving to Essex from Northern Ireland as a child, Eades initially played for local youth side Harway Minors, before being spotted by Chelmsford City.
[1] Eades made his debut in senior football for Chelmsford on 20 March 1963, playing in a 3–1 loss against Guildford City after graduating from the club's academy.
[2] In 1969, after helping Chelmsford to the 1968 Southern League title, Eades signed for Cambridge United for a fee of £2,500.
On 31 March 1969, Eades scored on his league debut for Cambridge in a 2–0 win against Bedford Town.
In April 1980, Eades was given a testimonial by Cambridge, with Ron Atkinson's West Bromwich Albion providing the opposition.