Arthur Coates born in Wensleydale, signing from Heywood United and leaving to join Southampton, played in the Southern League for Exeter City between 1910 and 1912. 

One of nine children, he moved to Radcliffe near Manchester as a child and was working as a blacksmith's labourer at the time of the 1901 census. A speedy defender who had played Parish Church Amateurs and Unsworth he signed semi-professional forms for Salford at the age of nineteen before moving to Heywood United of the Lancashire Combination.

Turning fully professional with Exeter City in the summer of 1910, he made his first team debut in a Southern League fixture at Leyton in September 1910. After two seasons at St James’ Park, he left to sign for Southampton where he played 21 league games before returning to Heywood United in 1913.

The 1911 census records him as boarding with the family of Exeter City amateur Percy Worner along with fellow professional Spencer Bassett, both of who were to die in the Great War.

Arthur died aged seventy-two on 13 March 1955 in Manchester.