Liverpool born (his father was an employee of the White Star Shipping Line), Percy Prince was raised in Southampton and played all his early football on the local Common. Saints signed him as an amateur in 1907 and, although he made his Southern League debut in October 1908, he would make only spasmodic appearances – at either centre- or inside-forward – at that level, until he had a decent run in December 1911.

The Echo found him a good team-player – there was “none more zealous in the interests of his team”, they reckoned – as his run continued into 1912-13, when he was the only goal-scorer who managed to reach double figures in a struggling side.

It came to a halt in December 1913 and he left for South Eastern League Boscombe in the close season. He re-signed for Southampton in 1916, but wouldn’t play in any war-time competitions until 1918-19 – except for Swindon, when they turned up a man short. He remained with the Saints, for a handful of games at right-half, as peace-time football resumed in 1919. But he played mainly for the Reserves, that season, winning Hampshire League and Cup honours and representing the county. In 1920, he joined Cunard and became a part-time footballer. He then managed the works-team for a while, before moving, with Cunard, to New York in 1930, as an assistant catering officer – which meant dealing with the needs of the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Mauritania and Aquitania.

He retired in 1952 and continued to live in Rutherford, New Jersey. One of his brothers (he had seven and one sister) kept him in touch with the Saints and his other Hampshire clubs by posting the Football Echo to him every week. He returned (see scrapbook section in 1965 for a brief visit) but remained living in the States until his death in 1973.