Ken McKay started his career with Hamilton Academicals in Scotland. In was signed by Sheffield United and in the 1897-1898 season he won a First Division Championship medal. The following season he moved to Tottenham Hotspur. In 1899, Francis Payne, the club secretary, was given the task of finding good players for Thames Iron Works first season in the top division of the Southern League. According to one report, Arnold Hills, gave Payne £1,000 to find the best players available. With this money he brought Ken McKay, Bill Joyce and Tom Bradshaw from Tottenham. Bradshaw was already seriously ill and he only played five games before dying of consumption on Christmas Day 1899. Joyce was a great success and in his first season scored 18 goals in all competitions. McKay scored two goals on his home debut against Chatham. That season he managed to add eleven more but the club still finished second from bottom in the league. McKay returned to Scotland to play for Wishaw United. The following season he helped Fulham win the Second Division of the Southern League.