Cox started his career in the youth team ranks at Port Vale. He was handed the number 23 shirt for the 2010–11 season, making his debut in a 2–1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra on 15 January 2011 under new managerJim Gannon.[3][4] Three months later caretaker managerMark Grew announced that Cox would not be offered a contract at the club for the following season.[5] He then spent a brief spell with Northern Premier League Division One South club Ilkeston, and scored in the new club's first competitive match in a 4–0 victory over Goole.[6] However, he played just three more times before he left the club in September 2011 to look for a club that offered full-time training.[7] He played for New Mills of the Northern Premier League Division One North in 2012.[8] He signed with Northern Premier League Division One South side Gresley in February 2013 after a spell with Hyde reserves, and made six appearances before leaving in June of that year.[9]