Chris Garland

Christopher "Chris" Garland (born 24 April 1949) is an English former footballer who played in all four divisions of the Football League. He was capped once by England at under-23 level.

A forward, he began his professional career with local club Bristol City in April 1966. He was sold to Chelsea for £100,000 in 1971, and went on to play on the losing side of the 1972 League Cup final. He joined Leicester City in 1974, before returning to Bristol City in November 1976. The club underwent a dramatic decline from the First Division to the Fourth Division and he had to accept a termination of his contract for half the amount due in 1982, though he went on to remain at the club for another season. He later played for Gloucester City, coached at Yeovil Town and managed Minehead.

Playing career

Bristol City

Garland was born on 24 April 1949 in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, the second son of Grace and George William Henry, a factory worker and lorry driver respectively. He attended a trial for England Schoolboys, and was signed up as an apprentice at Bristol City in 1964. However he broke his leg in a park kick-around with friends, and was severely reprimanded by manager Fred Ford. He recovered and went on to sign professional terms with the club five days after his 17th birthday. He made his Second Division debut at Ashton Gate Stadium on 3 December 1966, in a 2–0 victory over Preston North End. This was his only appearance of the 1966–67 season, and the "Robins" went on to finish in 15th place.