Sturgess started his career with amateur side Tunstall Cresswells before joining Stoke in 1902. He broke into the first team in 1905–06thanks to the departure of James Bradley to Liverpool. Whilst was not as good as the talented Bradley Sturgess more than made up for it with his determination and graft. Stoke who had survived several relegation battles in the early 1900s were relegated in 1906–07. It got worse for Stoke as the club's finances imploded in 1907–08 forcing the club out of the Football League. Sturgess was sold to SheffieldUnited in a bid to raise much needed funds. He was signed by Sheffield United from Stoke in 1908, along with George Gallimore, for the maximum transfer fee at the time of £350. He was a tall wiry defender and was nicknamedhairpin because of his build. He played primarily at wing-half or half-back in his time with Sheffield United, forging a formidable partnership with George Utley and Bill Brelsford. Sturgess was the type of professional footballer that all football clubs yearn for. He played with skill and determination in all positions, and, whether as a forward, half-back, full-back, or emergency goalkeeper, Sturgess never gave less than 100%, and well deserved his reputation as the one manfootball team. He made his debut for the Blades in a Division One match at Bury on 1 September 1908, replacingErnest Needham at left-half. He was also part of the victorious Sheffield United FA Cup winning team of 1915, when United beat Chelsea 3–1 at Old Trafford, on 24 April 1915. He went on to make 353 league appearances and five goals for the Blades, between 1908 and 1922. After World War I, he played mainly as full-back but turned out in most positions in the Blades team. He was noted for his fine tacking and anticipation and long accurate kicking, he gave Sheffield United and Stoke excellent service missing very few games in a long career. Twice an ever-present in United colours, he still managed forty league games in the season that he celebrated his fortieth birthday. In 1923, he joined Norwich City where he would spend one season and making 47 appearances for the Canaries helping them to their best league finish so far, 11th in Division Three South. He retired from football at the age of 43 in 1925, and being a native of Etruria, he opened a china shop in Ecclesall Road, Sheffield. He died in 1957 aged 74.
