Merseyside-born Roy Tickell appeared for Exeter City in the interim 1945/46 season when he played in nine games in the two specially-arranged mini-leagues as well as appearing three times in that season’s two-legged FA Cup ties. He subsequently made a handful of league appearances for Southport.

Roy had been playing for Tranmere Rovers when, on the recommendation of Grecians full back Jack Blood who had served with him in the RAF, he appeared for Exeter City as a guest player against Cardiff City in November 1945, Also featuring in three of City's four two-legged FA Cup ties (scoring against Trowbridge Town), Roy soon signed a contract and ultimately played four times in the pre-Christmas Division Three South (South of Thames) competition and another five times in the Division Three Cup (Southern Section) in the early months of 1946. 

Remaining at St James' Park during 1946/47, Roy never appeared for the club in the Football League but did sign for Southport in May 1947 where he played six league games scoring one goal before moving to Prescot Cables later in the year. 

Roy died in the Southport area on 8 February 2006.