A brass-dresser by trade, Bill Tustin set out on an amateur football career with the Birmingham junior clubs Bournbrook and Soho Villa, and progressed to the Birmingham League with Stafford Rangers in 1904. During 1904-05 he came to prominence as Rangers lost 3-0 to Second Division Blackpool in an F.A. Cup sixth qualifying-round replay after drawing 2-2 at Bloomfield Road; Bill saved an amazing four penalties out of five conceded over the two games.
In June 1906 he moved into the Football League as an amateur with Glossop and was subsequently offered a professional engagement, but after 48 Second Division appearances in two seasons for the struggling Derbyshire club he became one of new Albion manager Jack Robson’s numerous recruits during the summer of 1908.
Initially preferred to Bob Whiting between the posts, Bill lost his place to the big man after only three games and spent the remainder of 1908-09 in the reserves. On his release at the end of the season he disappeared from the scene, but a year later was reinstated as an amateur to play for an unnamed minor club.