 His brother, Mark, was also a footballer, and his nephews Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain play for Liverpool and Notts County respectively, with Alex also an England international.He started his career at Port Vale, signing professional forms in January 1978 to become the club's first black pro.He followed his brother to Stoke City in September 1982 for a £40,000 fee.