Peter Rapley, who had been an amateur with Portsmouth, made ten league appearances for Exeter City in the late 1950s before joining Cambridge United.

He was on the books as an amateur at Portsmouth when he was signed by Exeter City in June 1957. He had to wait for his first team debut until the game at Watford in January 1958 when he netted two goals in a 4-5 defeat. Rapley featured in the next eight consecutive games and scored two further goals against Torquay United and Brighton and Hove Albion.

He was released on a free transfer at the end of the season and joined Cambridge United. Later he played for Wisbech Town before injury ended his career when he became a self-employed painter and decorator in Cambridge.

Peter died on the 24 July 2015 in Cambridge.