	Furnell started his career at his local club Burnley, signing at the age of 17. As third-choice keeper he only played twice in eight seasons at Turf Moor, before being signed by Liverpool in February 1962. Furnell immediately took the No. 1 jersey at Liverpool, playing all 13 of the club's remaining matches that seasons, as they won a Second Division title and promotion to the First Division. However, after breaking his finger in a training ground accident early in the 1962-63 season, he lost his place to Tommy Lawrence. He played two matches in 1963-64 before being sold to Arsenal for £15,000 in November 1963.