 In September 1885 he moved to Stoke, but did not remain at the club for long as later that year he began playing for Walsall Town, the club that later merged with Walsall Swifts to form Walsall F.C.. Wilson signed for Aston Villa in August 1886 before re-joining Walsall Town twelve months later.He remained at the latter club for just one month, then turned professional with West Bromwich Albion in September 1887.He scored twice on his Albion debut against Wednesbury Old Athletic in October 1887, helping his club to a 7–1 victory in the FA Cup first round, and was a member of the team that beat Preston North End 2–1 in the 1888 FA Cup Final.