flynn was spotted playing in workington's reserves by sheffield united's then general-manager john harris and the club duly signed him for £5,000 in july 1969. initially used as cover for dave powell he gradually began to make more appearances as powell suffered from injury problems. by april 1971 flynn had cemented his position as first-choice in central defence, partnering eddie colquhoun. flynn remained a mainstay of united's defence until 1978 when he was given a free transfer to nearby rotherham united. having spent two seasons with rotherham, flynn moved to non-league spalding united in 1980 where played for another two years until retiring in 1982.