Ron joined Crystal Palace as a youth team player in 1948 but could not settle in London so returned to the North East with Middlesbrough. In three seasons he made just one appearance and was recommended to the Cobblers by his father who was the Cobblers scout in the North East.

He soon became a first team regular at the County Ground and was captain of the Northampton Town side who knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup in 1958.

He became a qualified FA Coach and assisted Jack Jennings with training sessions. He also coached at local schools in Northampton.

After 317 games for the Cobblers he moved on to Rothwell Town as player manager before taking over as manager at Hendon while working as a manager of an ICI subsidiary company.