 Born in Wigan, Porter attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Blackburn, where he was a member of the school's Independent Schools Football Association Cup winning side in 2001.Having previously featured in the British Universities team, Porter had unsuccessful trials with Wigan Athletic and Blackpool before joining Bury on trial.He featured for the reserve team during the 2002–03 season in a 3–2 defeat to their Walsall counterparts.