5th April 1896

Bedmister, Bristol

Winger

Goalscoring winger Billy Compton played for Exeter City between 1924 and 1928. He joined the club from Bristol City and later played for Bristol Rovers. His 151 games brought 39 goals as the Grecians stabilised in the Football League during the mid-1920s.

Growing up in Bristol he played for South Street School, Victoria Albion, the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Bristol Motor Works (Tramways) before being invited for a trial by Bristol City in 1919. Agreeing terms, he went on to make 14 league appearances and proved to be a regular goalscorer in the reserves. 

Moving to Exeter City in the summer of 1924, he first appeared against Reading on 30 August 1924 and made an immediate impact as he totalled 39 appearances - scoring eleven goals in the process - during his first season at St James' Park. 

Following through with 42 appearances (12 goals) in 1925/26 and 37 in the next campaign (7 goals), he established himself as one of City's best and most consistent performers. Continuing his form into a fourth season - when he netted nine times from 33 league starts - he was to leave St James' Park in the summer of 1928 to sign for Bristol Rovers after a season that had seen the Grecians finish 8th in Division Three (South).  

Now aged thirty-two, he enjoyed a single season at Eastville before signing for Bath City and buying a business in Bristol.

Billy died in 1976 in Bournemouth.

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