Bill Crinson was the eternal reserve: in a senior career spanning some six years with Sheffield Wednesday and the Albion he made just nine League appearances. Bill joined Wednesday from Wearside League champions Southwick in May 1906, and, after four senior outings in two seasons on the Owlerton staff, played for the newly formed Huddersfield Town club in the North Eastern League.
In June 1909 he joined the Albion, only to live in the considerable shadow of Bob ‘Pom Pom’ Whiting for four years, making just thirteen first-team appearances until, in September he returned to the North Eastern League with Sunderland Rovers, Bill became secretary of Sunderland Comrades F.C. after the Great War and also scouted for the Albion on occasion.
Bill played 13 matches for the Seagulls between 1909 and 1913.