 Brett represented Flintshire as a schoolboy and then became part of a Chester youth setup which also included Ian Rush and other future first team players such as Richie Gendall, Paul Needham and Peter Zelem.But he was not offered a professional contract at the end of his apprenticeship and he spent time playing for Colwyn Bay and in Chester Sunday League football before rejoining Chester on a part-time basis ahead of 1983–84.His made his league debut for Chester in a 1–1 draw with Northampton Town on the opening day of the season, with his first goal following against Bristol City on 31 December 1983.