Frederick Walter Staniforth was born in Kilnhurst , he showed sporting prowess from an early stage playing football locally for Kilnhurst Town, Rotherham Main and Mexborough Town .In July 1906 he was transferred from Mexborough Town to Bristol City . The club had just been promoted to the First Division achieving Second Division champions.

Staniforth replaced Walter Bennett to make his First Division debut on the right wing in a 0-2 defeat at Everton on 6 October 1906. He scored his first goal in his fourth league appearance in a 3-2 win at Notts County. Staniforth made 24 appearances scoring 3 goals in 1906-07 as Bristol City achieved their highest ever League position finishing as First Division runners up to Newcastle United.

In 1907-08 Staniforth continued as part of a regular forward line comprising Staniforth, Billy Maxwell, Sam Gilligan, Andy Burton and Frank Hilton. He made 35 appearances scoring 4 goals in 1907-08 when the “Babes” finished in 10th place. The following season in 1908-09 the forward line was broken up as Willis Rippon and Bob Hardy came into the team.

Staniforth made 34 appearances scoring 4 goals in the First Division as Bristol City finished in 8th place. He also played in all 10 FA Cup ties as Bristol City reached the FA Cup Final in 1909 for the first and only time.[3] Bristol City slipped to 16th position in the First Division in 1909-10 when Staniforth shared right wing duties with Bob Hardy making 22 appearances scoring 3 goals. Staniforth made 19 appearances without scoring in 1910-11 when Bristol City finished 19th and were relegated to the Second Division.

Staniforth lost his regular place on the right wing in October 1910 when City signed Willie Clark from Sunderland but returned for 6 games of the final run of 8 matches.[3] In July 1911 Fred Staniforth joined Grimsby Town. Staniforth moved to Liverpool in 1913.

After his playing career finished Fred Staniforth returned to Bristol and settled there until his death on 23 May 1955.