Clarrie Murfin enjoyed a chequered football career after joining Barnsley from the local West Ward club at the age of 21 in April 1930. Having played in 23 Second Division matches, he was released to join Midland League Scunthorpe & Lindsey United in August 1932, but returned to the first-class game the following July with Rochdale, where he scored seven goals in 26 Third Division (North) outings during 1933-34.
This spell in Lancashire was followed by another season in the Midland League with Gainsborough Trinity, but his Football League career was again resurrected when Bradford (P.A.) obtained his signature in March 1935, although his time at Park Avenue was spent mostly in the reserves.
Charlie Webb brought Clarrie to the Goldstone in June 1936, but, with Bert Stephens holding down the left-wing berth, he made just a single appearance in the first-team in two seasons and was released in May 1938.