 He was the son of Robert B. Mitcheson, who worked as a labourer at a steelworks gas producer, and his wife Mary Jane.Mitcheson was a member of the Leadgate Park team that beat Hartlepools United 2–1 after extra time to win the 1921 Durham Senior Cup.Described as "a much sought outside right", he joined Third Division North runners-up Darlington ahead of the 1922–23 Football League season, but played infrequently for the first team, and sometimes at outside left.