Mackrill joined Bradford Park Avenue in the summer of 1913 and remained with them until the outbreak of war, though failed to make the first team.
He later became player-manager and led Torquay to the Southern League title in 1927, which they won by 0.002 of a goal from Bristol City reserves.
This earned them promotion to the Football League, Torquay winning election in place of Aberdare Athletic.
He left himself out of the starting line-up at the beginning of Torquay's first league season, preferring to play George Smith at left-back.
Torquay finished in last place at the end of their first season in the Division Three (South) and he left in March 1929 with United struggling near the foot of the table once more.