David Lindsay played his early football for St Mirren and Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish League. He won an international cap for Scotland against Northern Ireland on 21st March, 1903. However they lost 2-0 and he never played for his country again. Lindsay joined West Ham United in 1906. He only missed one game that season and although he only scored four goals he made lots of chances for fellow strikers Harry Stapley (22) Lionel Watson (12), and Billy Grassam (10). Lindsay only played in 13 games in 1907-08 and left the club at the end of the season.