 He made his first team debut in the 1953–54 season under the management of Frank Taylor after turning professional at the age of 17.He played a further three Second Division games in 1955–56, before making nine appearances in 1956–57, and then breaking into the first team with 28 appearances in 1957–58.He scored his first senior goal on 9 September 1957, in a 5–3 home defeat to Bristol Rovers.