A good tackling and passing midfielder, Peter Garland was a player who starred in nearly 200 matches for Spurs, only one came in the first team.
99 games in each of the youth team and the reserves featured his name on the team-sheet, his only senior appearance came when players were rested ahead of the 1991 FA Cup final.
Began his career with Croydon FC's youth side, who were winners of the Southern youth League Cup in 1986 and his part in the success was noted by Tottenham, who signed the midfielder as a trainee in July, 1987. Continuing his development in the club's youth system, Garland played six times for the England youth sides.
A midfielder, who could tackle and drive forward into the box, Peter was watched by first team manager Terry Venables, while performing in the reserves and he was gradually eased into the first team squad, making the away trips with the group before sitting on the bench at Blackpool, as Tottenham started what was to be their successful 1990-1991 FA Cup campaign. His moment arrived with half an hour left of the league game at Carrow Road, when he was called upon to replace Paul Gascoigne against Norwich City. His debut was not a memorable experience, with the home side recording a 2-1 win, with Garland explaining that he found himself “just chasing the ball for a time.”
He added that, “That half an hour was like playing two reserve games on the spin. I knew that First Division football was fast, but the reality was amazing ! I found it hard to adjust and get into the game, but once I picked up the pace of the play, I started to enjoy myself more.”
The game gave him more confidence and he was keen to get another look-in before the end of the season, but he returned to the reserve side and did not get another opportunity in the senior side. With no prospect of making the regular breakthrough into the first team, Peter left to join Newcastle United in March 1992.
Kevin Keegan signed him as only the second transfer in his time at St. James Park, but Garland only got two games before he moved on to Charlton Athletic in his native South London in September 1992. Peter found a place in the team at the Addicks and scored twice in 53 league matches until he went on loan to Wycombe Wanderers in March 1995, featuring five times for the Chairboys.
The midfielder moved from South to East London, joining Leyton Orient, where he wore their shirt in 24 matches and then dropped into non-league with Crawley Town on a free transfer in July 1997. Garland then moved around the non-league scene, playing for Dulwich Hamlet, Croydon, Whyteleafe, Erith Town and Greenwich Borough as he sought out first team football. While at Greenwich Borough, Peter took on player/coach and caretaker manager roles before apparently dropping out of the game.