A sportsman of some repute, Bill started his career in rugby league with Barrow. But a year later (1908) he was between the sticks just up the coast in Carlisle as the draw of a better wage gave way to a change of sport and a career as a goalkeeper.

He would later play for Norwich City, before a £765 move to Newcastle United in 1914, where he would finish his career after spending 6 years at the club. Although, due to his time at the club being punctuated by the onset of WWI, he would only make 25 appearances in total. With only one following his safe return from the conflict in 1919.

Despite emigrating to New Zealand for a period, he would return to his second home, Barrow (having been born in Stockport) where he passed away aged just 52.