Billy Burton, came through the junior ranks with Mansfield Woodhouse Albion, Woodhouse Comrades and Sutton Junction, and was signed by Nottingham Forest in November 1929. In nearly seven years with Forest he made just 35 League appearances, giving loyal service in the reserves before arriving at the Goldstone in June 1936 where he had to play second-fiddle to regular right-back Ernie King during the 1936-37 campaign. Billy was released at the end of the season and returned to Nottinghamshire to work and play football for Bilsthorpe Colliery.
Billy played 7 matches for the Seagulls in 1936-37.