Malkin was born in Stoke-on-Trent and was spotted by scouts in 1942 playing football in the Army and was signed by his local clubStoke City. Malkin was a winger who had the daunting task of replacing the role of Stanley Matthews in the number 7 shirt, after he joined Blackpool in 1947. He made his debut against Everton in March 1948 but didn't become a regular first team player until the Stoke City F.C. season|1949–50] season where he made 29 appearances. Injury kept Malkin out for most of the 1950–51 [Stoke City F.C. season|1950–51] season but he did make a return for the poor1951–52 and 1952–53 campaigns which saw Stoke relegated to the Football [League Second Division|Second Division]. He scored 11 goals in 42 matches in 1953–54 his best performance in his career and spent two more season in the squad before retiring due to injury. He also enjoyed a brief spell as coach for Stoke City following his injury.