gazzard was born in cinderford, gloucestershire and having previously played as an amateur for penzance, and made 20 appearances for the county of cornwall xi, gazzard signed pro forms at west ham united in may 1949. he made his debut on the first day of the 1949–50 season, against luton town, and played in a total of 37 games that season. he played in 41 games in 1950–51, one game short of being an ever-present.