Billy Wragg joined the Albion from Doncaster Rovers in September 1905 towards the end of a somewhat chequered career. The strapping defender had started out with his local club, Hinckley, before joining Nottingham Forest as a professional in April 1896.
Two years later he appeared at left-half in Forest’s F.A. Cup final triumph over Derby County, but finished the match as a passenger on the wing having suffered an injury in the first half. Transferred to Leicester Fosse the following March, he made 49 appearances for the Second Division club before losing his place early in the 1900-01 season.
Billy’s career then took a downward trend, most probably because of injury problems. In January 1901 he moved on to Small Heath (forerunners of Birmingham), but played in just one Second Division match before joining Watford seven months later. Again he failed to win a regular place, and spent the 1902-03 season in the Midland League with his former club, Hinckley.
Billy returned to the Football League with Chesterfield in August 1903 and made 21 Second Division appearances before spending 1904-05 with Accrington Stanley in the Lancashire Combination. Billy then had a brief spell with Doncaster Rovers in the Midland League before coming to Hove in September 1905.
Considering his experience and colourful pedigree, his arrival was greeted with surprisingly little publicity, but he was never able to win a regular place in the Albion team. He performed in a variety of defensive roles, mainly in the reserves, but was released at the age of 30 at the end of 1905-06 and departed for an unknown destination in minor football.