 In 1950, Alf joined non-league Northwich Victoria in the Cheshire League, and after little more than a handful of games, he had scored eleven goals, and it was while he was with them that he was spotted by Sheffield United.He was watched by United in a match at Buxton and, agreed to sign a few hours after the match had finished.He was signed by Sheffield United manager Teddy Davison in November 1950, in a double transfer along with fellow winger Derek Hawksworth, for a total outlay of £15,000, with Hawksworth joining two weeks later.