George Ackerley began his career as an amateur inside-forward with Liverpool, though he never made an appearance for the first-team.

Second Division Leeds City, struggling near the bottom of the table, signed him up in March 1910 and he was given an early opportunity at senior football by Frank Scott-Walford. The out of form Jimmy Gemmell was dropped and Ackerley given his debut at inside-left in the 1-1 draw at Barnsley on 17 March. He failed to impress and David Dougal replaced him.

Ackerley was recalled for the match at Manchester City on 23 April but struggled. He missed a number of goalscoring opportunities as Leeds lost 3-0, but fortunately City had already done enough to safeguard their league status.

Ackerley remained available for selection by the club again for 1910/11 but left the club thereafter and made no further appearances in senior football.