In the early 1890s, Manchester had two struggling Football League teams: Ardwick, who would become Manchester City in 1894; and Newton Heath, who would be renamed Manchester United in 1902. Local lad Herbert Williamson joined Ardwick, but never made the League side. Moving to Southampton early in the 1894-95 season, Herbert went straight into the first-team goal, playing in the newly-formed Southern League.

He conceded a goal within three minutes of his debut, but became a regular. Yet he left at the end of the season for Eastleigh, where he combined a job at the local Railway Works with playing for their works-team, Eastleigh Athletic. He left for London in 1896 and was back in the Southern League for the 1896-97 season, with Royal Ordnance. He was ever-present for a season that lasted only seven games before the side was disbanded after some heavy losses, including a 10-0 hammering by the Saints. Herbert soon returned to his roots, working as a cotton merchant in Heaton Norris.