Needham was born in
Oldham,
Lancashire. He made his debut in the
First Division on 20 March 1976, deputising for
Peter Withe in a 1–1 draw at home to
Coventry City, came on as
substitute to score in the next game, and started the next. Those were the only first-team appearances he made for Birmingham. He signed for
Second Division club
Blackburn Rovers in the 1976 close season, but after only five league appearances he moved on again in March 1977, this time to
Aldershot of the
Fourth Division. – but Needham's contribution was described by teammate Alex McGregor thus: A hip injury forced Needham's retirement from League football in 1980 at the age of 24, and he became a taxi driver. ==References==