Palmer began his career as a youth at Brentford and entered the club's Centre of Excellence at age 10. He progressed through the youth system to begin a scholarship in 2002. Palmer maiden call into the first team squad came on 24 August 2004, for a League Cup first round match versus Ipswich Town and he remained an unused substitute during the 2–0 defeat. Palmer received his second call into the first team squad for a Football League Trophy first round match against Milton Keynes Dons on 28 September 2004. Soccerbase Picked in a squad composed mostly of scholars, Palmer made his professional debut in the match and played the full 90 minutes of the 3–0 defeat. Palmer was called into the first team squad again on 9 October and was an unused substitute for a 0–0 draw with Barnsley. Palmer was an unused substitute on two further occasions during the 2004–05 season and was released at the end of the campaign.
Palmer joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Kingstonian on a work experience loan in December 2004. He remained at Kingsmeadow until March 2005 and made one appearance and scored one goal for the club. The goal would be the only senior strike of his career and it came in a 2–2 draw with Harrow Borough on 29 January 2005.
Towards the end of the 2004–05 season, Palmer joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Staines Town on loan until the end of the campaign. He made two appearances for the club and his loan was made permanent during the 2005 off-season. He managed only two appearances during the 2005–06 season before his departure in December 2005.
Palmer joined Southern League Premier Division club Northwood on loan early in the 2005–06 season. He made only three appearances before suffering an injury.
Palmer transferred to Isthmian League Premier Division club Wealdstone in December 2005. He made 16 appearances during the remainder of the 2005–06 season.
Palmer moved into Sunday League football in 2007 and joined Hayes Middlesex Sunday League Sixth Division club AFC Stanwell Athletic. He was appointed player-manager in the latter stages of the 2007–08 season. The club folded during the 2008 off-season, which led Palmer to approach The Bell On The Green pub in Bedfont, which agreed to provide funding for the club, on the condition that the new club was named Bell On The Green Sunday. Over the following decade, Palmer player-managed the club to promotions in the 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2013–14 seasons and victory in the Arthur White Memorial Shield in 2011.Honours
As a player
Wealdstone
Brian Collins Challenge Trophy : 2006
Bell On The Green Casuals
Chiswick & District Sunday League First Division second-place promotion : 2009–10, 2013–14
Chiswick & District Sunday League Second Division third-place promotion : 2008–09
Arthur White Memorial Shield : 2010–11
As a manager
Bell On The Green Casuals
Chiswick & District Sunday League First Division second-place promotion : 2009–10, 2013–14
Chiswick & District Sunday League Second Division third-place promotion : 2008–09
