Background
Perfect was born in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
Perfect was born in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
He played his youth football for Stradbroke Road (Lowestoft), Great Yarmouth Town boys and Gorleston, as well as representing Norfolk county in 1932. In March 1933, aged 18, he joined Norwich City as an amateur. Although he remained with the Carrow Road club for three years he only made one first-team appearance, against Southend United in 1934.
He left Norwich in June 1936 and spent sic months with Mansfield Town in the Third Division North before moving on to Wolverhampton Wanderers of the First Division.
He failed to make a first-team appearance for Wolves, and in February 1938 he moved back to the Third Division North, with Tranmere Rovers. Parker had been manager at Norwich City during Perfect"s time there so paid £2,500 to bring him to The Dell.
He made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Newcastle United on 28 January, taking the place of Fred Williams at right-back. Described as a "bulky full-back" who "did all that was asked of him", Perfect had a talent for making good long through-passes.
Perfect made 15 appearances in 1938-1939 and two matches at the start of the following season, before league football was suspended during the Second World War.