Hawkey was one of the founding members of St Sidwell’s United, the club that became Exeter City in 1904.

Having previously turned out for Heavitree (the longest-established club in the area), he joined the new St Sidwell’s United club that had been formed largely by a group of 16- and 17-year olds who had attended St Sidwell’s school and lived close to the current St James’ Park. 

Playing at left-half, he is first recorded as a member of the side that faced St David’s on 12 October 1901 although it is entirely possible that he had played in previous games for which records no longer survive.

Never a regular in the side he played intermittently during the club’s first two seasons but not at all in 1903/04 or beyond. 

The 1901 census shows Horace Hawkey (19), an apprentice painter living in Cross Park Terrace in Heavitree.