Chris Garland

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Chris Garland

the well built fair-haired Chris Garland cut a striking figure, and as a striker he figured often. He had three spells with city, during which time he appeared in all four divisions of the league. Garland was first signed as an apprentice in May 1966, and Alan dicks introduced him to the first team. Garland struck up an understanding with john galley and soon was attracting the attention of first division scouts. In 1970, he was capped for England under-23 side, coming on as substitute early in the game against Bulgaria. In september 1971, Garland moved to Chelsea for a fee of £100,000, and in the same month Chelsea paid £170,000 for steve kember, suggesting Garland would be destined for good service and a few medals.

Six months later he was playing at wembley in the league cup final which Chelsea lost 2-1 to Stoke. In 1975, Garland moved to Leicester city and regained his scoring touch - eight goals in ten games. Leicester stayed up. Chelsea went down. In December 1976, the prodigal son returned to Bristol city in the first division and they needed a striker of first division class. A fee of £110,000 was paid to Leicester. Again he helped keep a team in the first division. Five goals in the last seven games of the season sent the fans wild with delight. They included the winner against Leeds and two against Liverpool. A knee injury restricted his apperarences the following season, but he stayed with the club during the financial crisis

of the early 1980's, untill his contract was cancelled in february 1982, along with seven others., Garland spent a third spell with city, on a match-by-match basis, helping in the difficult fourth division days of 1982-83.

In 1970, he was capped for England under-23 side, coming on as substitute early in the game against

Bulgaria. In september 1971, Garland moved to Chelsea for a fee of £100,000, and in the same month Chelsea

paid £170,000 for steve kember, suggesting Garland would be destined for good service and a few medals.

Six months later he was playing at wembley in the league cup final which Chelsea lost 2-1 to Stoke.

In 1975, Garland moved to Leicester city and regained his scoring touch - eight goals in ten games.

Leicester stayed up. Chelsea went down. In December 1976, the prodigal son returned to Bristol city in

the first division and they needed a striker of first division class. A fee of £110,000 was paid to Leicester.

There was an U23 game at the Gate in 1970 and we all thought Garland would play, but he only made it to the Sub's bench. Three months later he was selected for that game v Bulgaria at Home Park.

Summer 1971 Chris was in a FA Touring Party that went to Australia. The team was coached by the then Chelsea Coach, so with hindsight and conspiracy theories etc; that's when Chris was tapped up. Early Sept 71, City were away to Plymuff in the League Cup but Garland didn't play. We fans were informed by the EP, that he had picked up an injury on the Saturday. Then Chelsea came in with their bid and Chris wasn't cup tied which enabled him to play in the Final that season.

In his first game for Chelsea, (HTV's sunday afternoon LOCAL game), he burst down the wing, beating several defenders and centred for a fine headed goal. The scorer immediately ran over and unselfishly held Garland's arm aloft, so the Chelsea fans praised their new signing.

Meanwhile City went to table topping Burnley and pulled out all the stops to show they could survive without him and drew 1-1.

When City resigned him, the club tried playing down the fact we paid £10,000 more for him than we sold him for. When Chris departed as one of the Ashton 8, he moved to a club in Hong Kong.

On TalkSport radio station a few years ago they were discussing Chris Garland and one of their "Studio Experts" was informing us listeners that "Oh yes! Chris Garland. He played most of his career at Chelsea, but they transferred him to Bristol City for the last few years".