o'connor was a late entrant to senior football. he joined southern league premier division club bromsgrove rovers in his early 20s, and played his part in their winning the 1991–92 title. he signed for crystal palace for a £25,000 fee ahead of the inaugural premier league season, but never appeared in that league. instead, he made his football league debut at the age of 25 during the first of three spells at walsall, joining on loan in march 1993 before signing permanently the following year. he played a key role in the saddlers winning promotion to division two in 1994–95.