Formerly with Brighton and Hartlepools United,  Alfred 'Stan' Thompson spent a month with Exeter City at the start of the 1936/37 before returning to Hartlepools. 

After playing for his home town club Durham City, Stan joined Brighton and Hove Albion in 1929 where he ultimately made 58 league appearances scoring 14 goals. After a long stay, he played for Hartlepools United during the 1935/36 season scoring 11 times in 34 league outings for them.

Moving south again to sign for Exeter City in September 1936, Stan immediately made his debut in the 1-0 win at Torquay United on 9 September before appearing in the following two games against Walsall and Reading. Not appearing again, Stan headed back to Hartlepools at the end of October 1936 where he failed to make another first-team appearance.