Bernard was born in Coatbridge.
He was only at Dens for one season 1925-26, and found it hard to get a regular position in the first team. Bernie made his debut in September in a 3-1 win at home against Cowdenbeath, in the Penman Cup, but didn’t get a League start until November when he featured in a 3-0 away win against Morton.
A personal high for him, was when he scored his only goal for Dundee, in a 1-2 defeat against Celtic at Dens Park on the 17th March 1926. The match report states that “Dundee opened the scoring within ten minutes. McInulty rounded Hilley and shot so hard the ball went into the net off W. McStay before the Celtic back had realised what had happened.”
At the end of the season he was transferred to Bathgate F.C.