Horobin was born in Brownhills,[REF] then in Staffordshire, now part of West Midlands, and began his playing career as an apprentice at West Bromwich Albion in 1950, signing professional terms in 1952 [REF].
In 1958, Horobin transferred to Notts County, where he made 123 appearances (37 goals) between then and 1962.