Background
Wilkes was born in the Handsworth district of Birmingham and began his football career with Handsworth Boys Club.
Wilkes was born in the Handsworth district of Birmingham and began his football career with Handsworth Boys Club.
He signed for Small Heath in April 1891, and played in a few friendly matches at the end of that season. With Harry Morris struggling for fitness towards the end of his career, Wilkes was one of six players tried at centre forward during the 1891-1892 Football Alliance season. At the end of the season he moved into non-league football with Brownhills.