A mainstay of Exeter City's early days in the Football League, Ellis Crompton - arriving from Tottenham Hotspur - first appeared for the club in the Southern League before the First World War. Returning from Bristol Rovers in 1921, he made nearly 150 league appearances over the following five seasons as City became established in the Football League. He had also played for Blackburn Rovers earlier in his career. 

Having worked as a cotton weaver when playing for Hapton United and Padiham in East Lancashire, Ellis started his professional career with Blackburn Rovers where he scored twenty times in 35 league games before signing for Tottenham Hotspur during the 1910/11 season. Unhappy with life in London and the club's training methods, he agitated for a move and after just eight league appearances arrived at Exeter City ahead of the 1912/13 season.

Ellis made his Grecians debut at West Ham United in September 1912 and went on to become leading scorer that season with ten goals. Attracting the interest of other clubs, he joined Bristol Rovers in 1913 and remained with his new club either side of war until 1921.

He returned to St James’ Park in June 1921 having switched from attack to defence and, over five seasons amassed nearly 150 league appearances as the Grecians became established in the Football League. Playing 39 league games in 1921/22, he added 36, 26 and 37 in subsequent seasons before making just a handful of appearances in 1925/26. 

Approaching the age of forty Ellis moved to Barnstaple Town as player-trainer in 1926 before returning to St James' Park for a benefit game against Southampton in 1927 (although injury curtailed his participation in the match). Also playing for Llanelly and Barry Town he lived out his life in North Devon and died in Barnstaple on 17 May 1953.