School teacher Arthur was one of eleven children of Thomas Astley, a cab proprietor from Chorley and his wife Elizabeth who was born in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

He moved to Wimbledon soon after the start of the new century and with his teaching connection it's no surprise that he was soon a member of the Old Centrals, making his debut in the second match of the 1903/04 season.

An inside foward, his turn of pace caused problems for many opponents. This should come a no real surprise as he was a member of the Salford Harriers, won the AAA 880 yard race in 1906 and represented Great Britain in both the 400 and 800 metres in the 1908 London Olympics (finishing second and failing to qualify in both heats).

He played regularly for four seasons, including in the club's first Senior trophy, the South London Charity Cup in 1904/05, the transition from Junior to Senior side and from Wimbledon Old Centrals to Wimbledon, and played his last match soon after the start of the 1907/08 season.

He represented the London F.A. in an inter-divisional match and the Southern Suburban League XI.

Astley also played for Southport Central in the Lancashire League.

Historians believed he had been killed in action in 1915, but in fact he died of cancer in Southport, which garnered a small obituary in the Evening Standard.