Mike Lester had already been on the books of Oldham, Manchester City and Grimsby when he joined Exeter City from Barnsley in the early 1980s. Staying half-a-season he moved on to Bradford City before playing over a hundred league games for Scunthorpe United. 

Mike started his career with Oldham Athletic where, having earned a full contract in August 1972, he went on to score two goals in 27 league appearances. Transferred to Manchester City in November 1973, he only featured in two league games for his new club before a loan spell with Stockport County in August 1975 and a summer season in the United States with Washington Diplomats. Returning to England, Mike signed for Grimsby Town in November 1977 where he netted 10 goals in 48 league outings before moving to Barnsley in October 1979 (64 league appearances, 11 goals).

Arriving at Exeter City in August 1981, Mike made his debut in the opening game of the season and featured regularly until the start of December scoring six times with a hat-trick against Millwall on 3 October 1981. By now unsettled, Mike appeared just once more for City at the end of January before signing for Bradford City in February 1982. 

Appearing in 49 appearances games for the Yorkshire club, he switched to Scunthorpe United in March 1983 where he enjoyed over a hundred league outings. Also having a loan spell at Hartlepool United, Mike had a second stintl with Stockport County from September 1986 prior to playing in Sweden with Ludvik FC and returning to the Football League with Blackpool,

Dropping into non-league football with Chorley, Mike turned out for Mossley before entering management with Runcorn, Curzon Ashton, Chadderton, Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Abbey Hey and Rochdale Town.