Born in
Bridgeton, Glasgow, Greenlees started his professional career with nearby
St Mirren where he gained a reputation as "
one of the best half-backs in Scotland". In May 1899, Greenlees moved to
southern England to join
Southern League champions
Southampton. He made his debut for the
Saints at
The Dell, taking the place of
Samuel Meston at
right-half for a 5–1 victory over
Queens Park Rangers on 21 October 1899. After one season on the south coast, Greenlees rejoined St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren in the 1900
close-season, resuming what became a long-running half-back partnership with
Michael McAvoy and
Walter Bruce (the latter gradually replaced by
Robert Robertson). By the time of his departure in 1907, Greenlees had made well over 200 appearances for the
Paisley club in the major competitions; he then had a short spell with regional rivals
Morton. He returned to
Southampton in 1908 and settled in the
Shirley Warren area of the town. ==References==