Starting in Ayrshire junior football, Alex Merrie played a handful of games for Exeter City in 1936 after most recently playing for Aldershot. In a career that featured in excess of twenty clubs he later played in Ireland, Scotland and back in England with Gloucester. 

Alex commenced his career with Saltcoats in Ayrshire before playing for Nithsdale Wanderers, St Mirren, Alloa Athletic and Stenhousemuir. Moving to Portsmouth in 1925 he featured in seven league matches netting two goals. He then returned to Scotland to play for Ayr United and Aberdeen before spells with Hull City, Clyde, Crewe Alexandra, Brechin City and Aldershot.

Alex arrived at St James’ Park in January 1936 on trial having scored against City earlier that season.  Scoring twice on his Grecians debut against Gillingham on 1 February 1936 he played a total of four games before moving on. He later played for Workington,  Cork, Leith Athletic and Gloucester City.