Foley was born in
Liverpool and began his career with local club
Liverpool, signing a professional contract in 1980. He never made a first team appearance at
Anfield, and spent a loan spell with
Fulham, lasting from December 1983 to January 1984, in which he made three league appearances. Foley left Liverpool in the summer of 1984, signing a permanent deal with
Grimsby Town. Foley remained at
Blundell Park for just one season, making 40 appearances, scoring six goals – before signing with
Sheffield United. Foley spent two seasons with the Blades, making 79 appearances, scoring 18 goals before moving to
Lou Macari's
Swindon Town for a fee of £40,000. Foley spent four and a half years at Swindon, making 190 appearances, scoring 29 goals before moving to
Stoke City in January 1992 for a fee of £50,000 to again work under Macari. Foley filled in at right back for the remainder of the
1991–92 season which saw him play 26 games helping Stoke reach the
play-offs where they lost to
Stockport County and he did play in the
1992 Football League Trophy final which Stoke won 1–0 against Stockport. He played in 54 matches, scoring ten goals in
1992–93 as Stoke won the
Football League Division Two title. In
1993–94 Foley again played in 54 matches scoring just twice and was released at the end of the season. He then spent a season at
Lincoln City and ended his career at
Bradford City. ==Career statistics==