 Burlison was born in Edmondsley, County Durham, the son of a miner, Robert Burlison, and his wife, Georgina.He was educated in Edmondsley and worked as a panel beater from 1951 to 1957, joining the General and Municipal Workers' Union (GMWU, later merged to form the GMB).He was a professional footballer from 1953 to 1965 (playing for Lincoln City, Hartlepool United and Darlington).