After signing for Stoke City as an apprentice straight from school, Brian Bithell turned professional at the Victoria Ground in October 1973 and became a regular in the first team during the 1976-77 season, playing alongside Garth Crooks and Peter Shilton. Following a loan period at Port Vale, Allen Batsford snapped him up on a free transfer in December 1977 and he made his debut in the disastrous Boxing Day defeat at Rochdale.

Despite filling in at right-back, midfield and central-defence, illness and injury meant he fell out of favour when Dario Gradi took over in the New Year and he had made only six appearances before moving to Winsford United in October 1978. He then had brief spells at Macclesfield Town, Witton Ablion, Stafford Rangers, Congleton Town and Rhyl. Since 1979 he has worked as a systems and logistics manager for Tesco Distribution at Middlewich.