On loan from Bradford City, Karl made a solitary late substitute appearance for Exeter City during the club’s 1989/90 Division Four title-winning season. Having started with Manchester United, he finished his near 100-match Football League career with Hereford United. 

Having played for England Schools, Karl joined Manchester United as a trainee in 1984 and turned professional in December 1985. Released without playing in the first-team, Karl joined Bradford City in June 1986 for whom he was to make 73 league appearances. 

Remaining at Valley Parade for four seasons, Karl joined Exeter City on loan halfway through his fourth season and immediately went into the squad for the game against Torquay United on 1 January 1990. Appearing for just twelve minutes of a comprehensive win in front of a 8,000 crowd, Karl came on as a late substitute for Ian Benjamin for what proved to be his only appearance for the Grecians.

Back at Bradford, Karl was promptly loaned to Colchester United - for whom he appeared against Exeter - before moving to Hereford United on a permanent basis in September 1990. Playing just nine league games for the Edgar Street club, Karl’s professional career came to an end as he moved into non-league football with Bradford Park Avenue.

Karl died on the 25th June 2023 at the age of 55.