Career
Born in Carlisle, Cumbria, Atkinson began his career at. He was first included in a matchday squad on 23 July 2011, remaining an unused substitute as the team lost 2–0 after extra time at Ayr United in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup. He was also unused in 18 Division One matches that season, a campaign which ended in relegation.
On 29 January 2014, Atkinson played his first professional game, a 1–1 Scottish Championship draw at Greenock Morton, replacing injured Zander Clark after 24 minutes.
Two weeks later, he was given a straight red card in a game against Dundee at Palmerston Park for conceding a penalty with a foul on Martin Boyle, which Ryan Conroy converted past replacement Calum Antell for the only goal of the game.
