a centre forward, he began his career with cliftonville and linfield in ireland, before joining halifax town in october 1911 and bradford city two months later. he spent four seasons with the bantams and was the league's top scorer in 1911–12. that summer, he was part of the english amateur team that represented great britain at the olympic football tournament, winning the gold medal. he played in all three matches and scored eleven goals. he holds the record of being the 'highest british goal scorer within the olympics' and is still the fourth highest goal scorer overall within the olympics.