Howard Milton Girling (24 May 1922 – 7 January 1992) was an English professional footballer who played as an outside forward in the Football League for Brentford, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.
Club career
Crystal Palace An outside forward, Girling signed for Crystal Palace in 1942, during the Second World War. After hostilities ceased in 1945, he made 27 appearances and scored six goals for the Third Division South club before departing in February 1947.
Brentford Girling moved up the pyramid to rejoin First Division strugglers Brentford in February 1947, for whom he had previously guested during the Second World War. He made 15 appearances in what remained of the 1946–47 season and was unable to help the club from relegation to the Second Division. He established himself in the team in the 1947–48 season, making 35 appearances. His appearance-count reduced over the next two seasons, so much so that he spent 1950–51 in the reserves, before leaving Griffin Park at the end of that season. Girling made 90 appearances and scored 10 goals in four years with Brentford.
Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic In July 1951, Girling dropped down to the Third Division South to join Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic for a short spell.
Hastings United Girling dropped into non-League football and ended his career with Southern League club Hastings United. A highlight of his time with the Us were two runs to the third round proper of the FA Cup.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSouthport1945–46—1Appearance in Lancashire Senior Cup010Crystal Palace1946–47Third Division South26610—276Brentford1946–47First Division151——1511947–48Second Division33521—3561948–4924220—2621949–5014100—141Total86941—9010Career total11215521011817
References