William Wake joined Exeter City from Plymouth Argyle in time to appear in the club’s first-ever professional fixture against Millwall in the Southern League in September 1908. After making thirty league appearances he moved to Queens Park Rangers. 

A member of Exeter City’s first-ever professional team in 1908, William was described as an energetic, bustling player. His earliest club was his village team Banbury Castle whom he played for at the age of 14 as a centre-half in the Northumberland Junior league. He then signed for Morpeth Harriers and after playing against Newcastle United in the Northumberland Charity Shield, he was signed by the bigger club to play in its reserve team. 

William moved to Devon for the 1907/08 season to link up with Plymouth Argyle but, after suffering injury in a pre-season game, made only ten Southern League appearances before leaving for Exeter City in the summer of 1908. 

Lining up for the Grecians’ first-ever Southern League game at Millwall on 2 September 1908, William made thirty league appearances in his solitary season at St James’ Park before signing for Queens Park Rangers.