[6] He wouldn't make another appearance for Chelsea until Boxing Day 1922 (missing the 1921–22 season completely) turning out for the Pensioners in a 4–0 win at Nottingham Forest.
The 1923–24 season saw Priestley make 42 appearances for Chelsea, scoring twice in victories against Middlesbrough and Manchester City, though he was unable to help the club stave off relegation to Division Two.
[citation needed] The 1925–26 campaign proved to be more fortuitous for the Scottish half back as he quadrupled his goal tally from the previous year, despite making only six more appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, helping them to a 3rd-place finish in the league come the end of the season.
He netted twice from the penalty spot in a 2–1 win over Clapton Orient on New Year's Day 1927 and scored twice again as Chelsea beat Bradford City a month later on 5 February.
Though he only made 18 appearances in his last season (1927–28) on the King's Road, Priestley still pitched in with four goals, netting his last double in a 5–2 win against Bristol City at Stamford Bridge.