Background
Burgess was born in Church Lawton and played amateur football with Butt Lane Swifts before joining Stoke in 1901, he apparently signed the contract with Stoke whilst sitting on a haystack at his father"s farm.
Burgess was born in Church Lawton and played amateur football with Butt Lane Swifts before joining Stoke in 1901, he apparently signed the contract with Stoke whilst sitting on a haystack at his father"s farm.
He was a solid defender who produce some had but fair challenges on opponents. He remained with Stoke until they went bankrupt in 1908 and Burgess joined Manchester City after making 195 appearances for Stoke. His at Maine Road was hampered by a knee injury which eventually caused him to retire.
He soon became a regular member of Horace Austerberry"s squad at a time when Stoke were struggling financially it came as a welcome relief to find a very capable local player.