King came into the St Kilda senior side after making his way up from the thirds but couldn't establish himself in the VFL.
A rover, he played briefly in Western Australia with Swan Districts before joining Oakleigh in the Victorian Football Association. He played his best football at Oakleigh, winning two Association best and fairest awards: the first division's J. J. Liston Trophy in 1975,[1] and then the second division's J. Field Trophy in 1977, when he polled a record 67 votes.[2] he also placed second by a single vote for the Liston Trophy in 1976,[3] and third in 1970.[4] He transferred to first division team Caulfield in 1978,[5] and placed third for the Liston Trophy again in 1980.[6]
Overall, King played 139 VFA games; 85 with Oakleigh and 54 with Caulfield.[7]
King's father Robert played for VFA club Brighton[7] while his son, Clinton King, was an AFL player at three separate clubs.