 He began his career at Gillingham in 1991, helping the club to win promotion out of the Third Division in 1995–96.He was sold to Blackpool in August 1996 for £225,000, before he was moved on to Port Vale for a £115,000 fee in March 1999.He then joined West Bromwich Albion in March 2000 for £140,000, and helped the "Baggies" to promotion out of the First Division in 2001–02.