Born in South Shields,Frost, p. 406 Rutter began his career with South Shields Parkside. He joined Bradford City in October 1909, making 3 league appearances for the club.Frost, p. 388 He was released in 1910, and later played for South Shields, Barnsley, Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle. At Plymouth he scored 7 goals in 19 league games. He remained contracted with Plymouth until the end of the First World War, though when that conflict ended he chose to stay in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service.
