Billy Whiteside, signing from Portadown, played a handful of games for Exeter City in the mid-1950s. Returning to Portadown, he later had a short spell with Scunthorpe.

Billy initially joined City on a part-time basis from Irish League club Portadown in November 1955. Making a good impression in the reserves, including a game at Kiddersminster played in front of 5,000 people as tickets went on sale for a cup-tie against Stoke City, his first team debut came in a 3-1 defeat at Torquay United on New Year's Eve. Thereafter he featured twice more, scoring against Walsall in the process, before his contract was cancelled and he returned to play for Portadown.

Billy was soon back in England having signed for Scunthorpe United but again later headed back to Portadown.