Originally a left half, Mather was one of a large number of professional footballers who developed their skills at Folds Road School, Bolton, many of whom came to Turf Moor. Among them was Tommy Lawton and it was the inspiration of Lawton that led Mather to sign for the Club in 1938.

As with many players, the Second World War disrupted Mather's league career a great deal. However, he guested for Plymouth and Charlton whilst stationed on the south coast and also for Hearts whilst in Edinburgh.

He also managed to play for Burnley during the hostilities, by this time a left-back. When the Football League re-started, he was 25-years-old.

He was one of seven players making their League debuts on the opening day of the 1946/47 season and immediately made the left-back shirt his own. He was an ever present in the team as the Clarets won promotion to the First Division and went to Wembley.

He held his own in the First Division through the 1940's and 1950's, but when he lost his place to Doug Winton in 1954, his Turf Moor days were numbered.

He left and joined Nelson as a player/coach in 1955, but returned to League football with Hull, where former Burnley player Bob Brocklebank was Manager.