Signed by manager Billy Bingham as a replacement for Jim Fryatt who had left to join Torquay United, he scored on his debut during a 3–0 victory over Barnsley on 4 March 1967. He quickly established himself in the first-team and, on the final day of the 1966–67 season, he scored the only goal of the game during a 1–0 victory over Southend United which secured promotion to the Third Division for Southport. He left Southport in November 1969 after the club began suffering financial difficulties, joining Shrewsbury Town for a fee of £10,000.