 He left his position at a bank to turn professional when he was signed by Bristol Rovers manager Bobby Gould in August 1982.Having impressed in the 1982–83 season, with the "Gas" four places and seven points outside the Third Division promotion places, he followed Bobby Gould to the First Division with Coventry City for a fee of £50,000 in August 1983.He played 53 games for the "Sky Blues", helping the Highfield Road outfit to finish two points above the relegation zone in 1983–84, and was voted as Player of the Year.