Fred McLachlan was not a big man, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, but was a strong centre half who was very popular with the Highfield Road side.

He spent a successful first season at centre half and was ever-present, but was switched to right half for the 1924-25 season. He was not as impressive in the wider position and was dropped. In November 1925, he was transfer listed and signed for Grimsby, where he helped The Mariners gain promotion to Division 2 and attracted the attention of First Division Bury. He only played twice for The Shakers, before signing for Halifax Town, for whom he appeared 94 times in the League.