Hi again crayvalley..and so the mystery goes on. This could be William & Mary Ann in 1881, but I can't easily find them after that:
RG11; Piece: 818; Folio: 115; Page: 31
3 Eden Cottages, St Marks Rd, S Norwood
William Player, 26, General Labourer
Mary A Player, 21
William, 1
Rose, 4 m
(all born S Norwood)
And this is probably William in 1871
RG10; Piece: 848; Folio: 51; Page: 23
7 Holland Terrace, Denmark Rd, S Norwood
John Player, 45, labourer b. Rickland Essex
Ann Player, 45, b. Poplar Middx
John, 17, greengrocer, b. Croydon
William 14 b. Croydon
Walter 12 b. Croydon
George 6 b. Croydon
Charley 4 b. Croydon
Fanny 20 b. Rickland Essex
Nancy 10 b. Croydon