Keynsham, Somerset born right half Billy Pillinger played for Warmley in 1913 before joining Southern League Aberdare Town in 1914, however his football career was soon interrupted by the First World War. After the conflict, he joined Aberaman Athletic in 1920 and signed for Plymouth Argyle in 1921, spending 1921-22 on their books without making a first team appearance. He returned to Wales to join Third Division (South) club Merthyr Town in the 1922 close season, making his Football League debut at Swansea Town in August that year, and scoring once in 40 appearances, a penalty in a 3-0 win over Portsmouth in February 1923, before joining non league Weymouth.