Career
Skinner most likely joined Burslem Portuguese Vale in the summer of 1886. He enjoyed regular football from October 1888 to February 1889, but was used mostly as a reserve player after this period. In total he played 30 games for his local team: 16 league games (12 in the Football Combination and one each in the Football League and Midland Football League), 13 friendlies, and 3 cup matches.
He was allowed to leave the Athletic Ground at the end of the 1892-1893 season, the first ever season of the Football League Second Division.