Bill Garner (footballer)

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William David Garner (born 14 December 1947) is a former English footballer from Leicester who played as a centre forward. He began his career in local Leicester football and turned professional with Notts County, making two league appearances before moving back into non-league football with clubs including Loughborough United, Dunstable Town and Bedford Town.

Garner joined Southend United in 1969 for £12,000, where he became the club’s top scorer and Player of the Season in 1971–72. His impressive form earned him a move to Chelsea after a League Cup performance against them in 1972, with Chelsea paying around £100,000.

At Chelsea, Garner stayed until 1978, a period marked by the club’s decline and his own injury and form problems. He made almost 120 appearances for Chelsea and scored in the mid-30s. He then joined Cambridge United on a free transfer, playing there until 1980, and later had spells with Chelmsford City and Brentford, where he made a handful of appearances and scored once.

Garner lived in the Southend area for many years and also played club cricket for Southend Cricket Club, where he was known as a hard-hitting all-rounder with excellent fielding and a strong will to win.