Born in Ireland, Andy came to London aged nine and was educated in the Wandsworth and Battersea areas. Leaving school at fifteen he joined the Post Office and this was followed by a brief spell as an apprentice electrician, but he didn't like the cold of working on building sites, so quickly left and found a local job wiring computers for an electronics firm.

He joined the works team, playing in the Wimbledon & District League (probably Sparks Athletic), and came for a trial at Wimbledon in the winter of 1971 was selected from a trial for the Suburban League reserve team. After only eight games at that level he was promoted to the first team and scored twice in the first half in his debut at Merthyr Tydfil, still playing as an amateur.

Played regularly the following season, but made only a handful of appearance the season after.