Tolson joined Hyde United in July 2003 and then played six matches for Mossley after joining them the following month.[5] He then joined Stalybridge Celtic in October 2003, staying with them until January 2004.[6] He returned to Hyde, and was appointed Assistant Manager of the club in July 2007 before becoming player-manager in September 2008. After eight years at the club playing roles of manager, player and assistant manager, on 4 April 2011 he was relieved of his duties by the new board of directors.[7] He left having scored 82 goals in 176 appearances for the club in all competitions.[8]
In June 2011 he joined Altrincham as assistant manager to Lee Sinnott.[9] In this role, he helped the club achieve promotion via the playoffs to the Conference National. Following Sinnott's departure, Tolson served as caretaker manager from March 2016 until the end of the season.[10]