after starting his career with his hometown club, whitley bay warriors, longstaff moved to the sheffield steelers in 1995, enjoying several victories and success in a variety of league and play-off games. longstaff has previously been awarded young player of the year and superleague player of the year. longstaff then moved to sweden in 2001, spending one season in the elitserien with djurgårdens if before returning to the uk, signing with the newcastle vipers in 2002. he also had brief spells with the manchester storm and in switzerland with hc sierre-anniviers. he returned to the vipers in 2003 before joining the guildford flames prior to the 2010/11 season.