Reid was born in Glasgow and started his career as a youth player at Nottingham Forest. However he was unable to secure a senior contract.
He joined Dundee United in July 1970, making his senior debut the following month. Despite an impressive early impact, including scoring against Grasshoppers in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, he spent most of his three years at the club playing in the reserves.[1] Reid played in 12 league matches for the Tannadice Park club and scored 3 goals.
Reid signed for Queen of the South in September 1973, having initially turned down the move the previous month.[2] Reid played in 193 matches in all competitions for Queens, with 154 of those being league matches. Reid is tenth equal in Queens all-time goalscoring charts alongside Jimmy Robertson with 89 goals in all competitions, with 79 being league goals.[3] Fellow player Ian McChesney described Reid as 'the player who made things tick'. Reid's Queens career came to an end in January 1977.
He transferred for a fee of £4,000 to Airdrieonians. There he played in 7 league matches and scored 2 goals.[4]
Reid then played with Forfar Athletic. There he played in 29 league matches and scored 7 goals.