 The 1911 census records Young working as a railway clerk, and the oldest of five surviving children, all still living with their parents in the Newport district of Middlesbrough.Young made his senior debut for Middlesbrough on 23 April 1921 at home to Chelsea in the First Division, a match in which Middlesbrough made four changes to their forward line.In the first minute, Young "darted forward in threatening fashion, but finished his fine individual effort shooting just over the bar"; neither side's players could do better, and the match ended goalless.