Sandy Tait began his football career in his home village, with Glenbuck Athletic. Having played in the Scottish League for Glasgow Rangers and Motherwell, full-back Tait joined Preston North End in 1894. Tait played 76 first team games for Preston in 5 seasons.
He then moved to Tottenham Hotspur. In 8 seasons at Spurs Tait played a total of 322 first team games (207 in the Southern League, 79 in the Western League and 36 in the FA Cup).
In 1899-1900 Tottenham won the Southern League and in 1901 the FA Cup.
Tait's robust tackling earned him the nickname Terrible Tait, but he was fair- never being cautioned or dismissed in his career.