Background
Thirlaway was born in Washington, which was then in County Durham.
Thirlaway was born in Washington, which was then in County Durham.
He scored 29 goals from 216 appearances in the Football League. He began his career at non-league side Usworth Colliery before moving into league football when he signed for West Ham United in 1921. He spent three years at the club before moving to Southend United in 1924.
His stay at the club was short and he went on to play for another three clubs in the next two years, namely Luton Town, South Shields and Birmingham.
In March 1927 he joined, making his debut in a 2–2 draw with Sunderland. He left the club at the end of the 1928-1929 season and returned to non-league football with Tunbridge Wells Rangers.