Originally from Leeton, Houghton was a NSW Country representative in 1981.[2]
Houghton started his NSWRFL first–grade career with the Penrith Panthers, playing primarily as a centre before developing into a second rower.[3] His Penrith career came in two stints, interrupted by one season with the Parramatta Eels.[4] While in Sydney, Houghton completed studies at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College and briefly taught at a Catholic high school in Bonnyrigg.[5] He joined the Department of Agriculture as a trainee agronomist when he signed with the Canberra Raiders, where his first–grade opportunities came mostly off the bench, but he did gain captaincy honours with the reserves.[6]