Liverpool-born Tomley signed for his hometown club from amateur club Litherland in September 1953 and made two league appearances for the Reds in consecutive games against Bury and Lincoln City in March 1955. He joined Chester once his contract expired at Liverpool in July of the same year but made just one appearance before moving on to Witton Albion. The towering defender quickly moved back into amateur football and went into the pub trade. Tomley ran the Harvester in Cantril Farm and was popular in the area for his charity work and assistance to the local junior football league. He died suddenly on 13 February 1981.