He played first-class cricket for Derbyshire between 1882 and 1902 and for England on their tour of South Africa in 1891–92.

He captained Derbyshire between 1887 and 1889 and scored over 10,000 runs in his first-class career as well as taking over 200 wickets.

[1] Chatterton started playing cricket for Derbyshire in the 1882 season and football for Derby County in 1884.

[2] Chatterton was considered to be almost single-handedly responsible for Derbyshire regaining first-class status in the 1894 season.

[3] William Chatterton, playing as an inside–forward, made his League debut on 13 October 1888 at Thorneyholme Road, the home of Accrington.