Cornish-born Frederick Prideaux joined Exeter City from Torpoint in 1910 and, after making nearly fifty Southern League appearances for the club, signed for Swansea Town in 1912. He later returned to Cornwall where he spent the rest of his life. 

A latecomer to the professional ranks at the age of 25, Fred signed for Exeter City in the summer of 1910 after being spotted by City director William Fenwick when the reserve team played Torpoint. The Cornwall county player started his career with Torpoint Triumph and then Torpoint Defiance. The two clubs amalgamated to form Torpoint and he helped the new club win three cups in season 1905/06 (two Cornish competitions and the Plymouth and District League). He played for Looe for two seasons before returning to Torpoint and, at one stage, turned out for Green Waves a strong Plymouth club of the time. A bricklayer by trade, he continued to work part-time in Exeter whilst playing for the Grecians. 

Described as ‘a tireless player’ who was ‘never happier than when he was in the fray’, Fred made his debut for Exeter against Brentford in a Southern League fixture at St James’ Park in September 1910 and only missed three games during the season in which City switched from green-and-white to red-and-white. Living in Heavitree with wife Maud and son (as indicated by the 1911 census) the following season proved to be a disappointment and, after only making 12 more league appearances, he was on the move to Swansea Town in the summer of 1912. 

Leaving the newly-opened Vetch Field after a solitary season, he returned to Cornwall and helped reform Torpoint in 1920. He was also an enthusiastic oarsman participating in many rowing events in port regattas.

Fred died on 13 October 1935 aged 51 and is buried in Looe where he had moved.