Gary began his career as a Liverpool youth player, before playing as a youth with Everton and finally Manchester City. He progressed through the ranks at City, making it into the reserves in 2001. After his release from the City reserves, he joined Witton Albion and went on to make over 200 appearances. At the start of Mossley's Unibond Premier adventure in 2006, Gary joined the Lily Whites and made 32 appearances (scoring 1 goal), but after Mossley's relegation, departed to join Celtic after impressing in pre-season.