Hugh Beren (often referred to as Berens in papers and football annuals of his day) made an early impact with local club Musselburgh. He joined Leeds City as a highly-regarded 16-year-old in June 1909, one of many youngsters snapped up cheaply by manager Frank Scott-Walford from Scottish and Irish clubs.

Given his inexperience, it was understandable that he spent most of his time in City's reserves, though he was given his first-team debut at Fulham on 30 October 1909, shortly after his seventeenth birthday. The Peacocks lost the game 5-1, and it was back to the reserves as he failed to justify his reputation. His next appearances were on 18 December in a 6-2 defeat at Leicester Fosse, and then in March as City lost 3-0 at Burnley. He was described by Wanderer in the Leeds Mercury as being 'rarely reliable' and lacking in experience, 'although a thorough trier'.

It was far from being an illustrious start to his City career, and Beren remained well down the pecking order, below Tom McAllister and Welsh international Haydn Price, and soon Jimmy Horsley arrived as additional cover. It was dispiriting, but Beren had years ahead of him to make the grade.

However, he quit City at the end of the 1909/10 season having made just three first team appearances and is not understood to have played professionally again.

He returned to Leith, where he died in 1961.