Alex Stanley was a former Reading defender who was on trial with Exeter City in 2003. He had earlier been with Sothampton's academy when at school and later played for a variety of non-league clubs.

Not offered a deal with City as a nineteen-year-old, he played a good level of non-league football for many years for clubs such as Weston-super-Mare, Farnborough (during the club's Conference days) and Yeading where he won back-to-back promotions and played in the 3rd round of the FA Cup against Newcastle United.

Thereafter he appeared for Chippenham Town, Yate, Cirencester Town, Swindon Supermarine and Didcot Town where he ended his playing career in 2013.