Reg Davey played outside right for the Exeter Association club and took part in the first ever association football game at St James' Park in 1894 when Minehead were the visitors. The club had previously played at Mount Pleasant but was to lose use of St James' Park, and shortly afterwards fold, once rugby began to be played there instead.

Continuing to be involved in the association game, now starting to flourish locally after a slow start, Mr Davey became a leading administrator and helped establish the East Devon League. Notably he was also one of the promoters of the exhibition match between West Bromwich Albion and Woolwich Arsenal in 1902 which introduced professional football to the people of Exeter. 

Born in Tavistock in 1872, Reginald Glanville Davey worked as a post office sorting clerk and telegraphist. Living to the age of eighty-seven, he is buried in Exeter's Higher Cemetery near the dissenter's chapel.