Maidment was born in Monkwearmouth, County Durham (now part of Sunderland). He played football for the Durham County Schools XI before beginning his professional career with Sunderland A.F.C., but never made the breakthrough to the club's first team. In January 1926 he signed for Lincoln City, then playing in the Football League Third Division North. Although he went on to score 47 goals from 130 appearances in senior competition for the club, a 1932 book suggested he failed to take full advantage of his strengths and abilities.
