Burtenshaw started off his playing days in 1952 featuring as a
wing half for
Brighton & Hove Albion. At Albion, he won the
Third Division (South) title in
1957–58. He lifted the
Fourth Division title in
1964–65 with the Seagulls. Altogether he played 237 games in
the Football League for Brighton & Hove. After his playing days came to an end Burtenshaw became a coach at Brighton. Amongst the players he took under his wing was
Howard Wilkinson, the future First Division winning manager of
Leeds United. Burtenshaw joined
Arsenal as a coach in 1971, succeeding
Don Howe after his departure to
West Bromwich Albion. Burtenshaw stayed for two years before resigning, despite the club reaching an
FA Cup final and coming second in the
First Division. Soon after, he moved to
Sheffield Wednesday and spent two years there as manager. He later became a coach at
Everton, managing the side in a
caretaker capacity for three games in January 1977 after the club sacked
Billy Bingham. He also went on to be at the helm of club
Queens Park Rangers from 1978 to 1979. Burtenshaw later returned to Arsenal as a coach and scout, and was caretaker manager of the club between March and May 1986, after the resignation of Don Howe as manager; Arsenal finished seventh in the First Division that season. He returned to his coaching role after the club appointed
George Graham that summer. Burtenshaw's time at the club was overshadowed when he admitted taking "bungs" for signing
John Jensen, in the scandal that led to Graham's sacking as Arsenal manager. He was fined £7,500 with £2,500 costs by
the Football Association. After leaving Arsenal along with
Bruce Rioch in 1996, Burtenshaw became chief scout under
Stewart Houston at Queens Park Rangers. ==Death==