Chris Garland

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 game 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 on 3 December 1966 in a 2–0 victory over Preston North End. This was his only appearance of the season as the "Robins" went on to finish in 15th place. Ford was sacked early in the 1967–68 campaign, and caretaker-manager Les Bardsley made wholesale changes to the first eleven, including a recall for Garland. He played all three of Bardsley's games in charge, and scored in the 3–3 draw with Hull City. He started in new manager Alan Dicks' second game in charge, and remained a first team regular throughout the rest of the season, scoring nine goals in 32 league and cup games. In the FA Cup the club beat Bristol derby rivals Bristol Rovers and Middlesbrough, before losing 2–0 to Leeds United in a bad tempered game that saw Gary Sprake sent off for punching Garland in the jaw. Garland formed an effective strike partnership with big target man John Galley in the 1968–69 and 1969–70 seasons, and was linked with moves away to bigger clubs. On 8…

After retiring, he spent two years selling fruit and vegetables door-to-door. He also featured in the Southern League for Gloucester City, before returning to professional football as a coach at Yeovil Town. During his time there he got his friend Ian Botham to play for the club and Yeovil won admission back into the Football Conference. However, his business was failing, and he developed gambling and drinking problems and was contemplating suicide at one stage. He entered the wine distribution business but again his business failed and he was declared bankrupt. He went on to work as a bookmaker's clerk, which only worsened his gambling addiction. He later spent time as manager of Western League side Minehead whilst working as an insurance salesman. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1988. Garland married Patricia Cooper in June 1970. They had two sons, Adam and Ryan, and one daughter, Jessica. Jessica is a former England netball international and in 2019 was appointed head coach of the England national netball team. The couple split after 25 years of marriage. After leaving Patricia he spent time sleeping rough, before he was housed by a property developer who also provided him with casual work. A testimonial with Manchester United raised £81,000 for Garland, which he split between himself and his ex-wife. He married again, to Ruth, in 2004. However his gambling problems remained, and he was again declared bankrupt a few years later. However, with funding from the…

Chelsea

Football League Cup runner-up: 1971–72