Career
Starling was an inside forward who made 413 appearances in all competitions, never a high scoring inside forward he was a player who created chances for other players, notching a modest 65 goals throughout his career. His ball carrying ability earned him the nickname of "The Manitoba with the Fluttering Feet". Born in Pelaw, Tyne and Wear, Ronnie Starling represented Durham County schools as a youth and began working in the coal mines in the north-east at the age of 14, firstly at Usworth colliery and then Washington Colliery.
He was spotted by Hull City manager Billy McCracken while playing amateur football for Washington Colliery and signed for the Yorkshire club in October 1926 at the age of 17.
Hull City Starling initially worked in the club offices whilst playing for the club as an amateur. He was part of the side which reached the semi-final in the 1929-1930 season, losing to Arsenal after a replay.
Despite their good cup form that season the team struggled in Division Two and were heading for relegation when soon after the semi-final he returned to his native North-East with a £3,750 move to Newcastle United in May 1930. Newcastle United Starling was a regular in the Newcastle team in his first season at Street James" Park (1930-1931) making 38 appearances however the following campaign he only made 15 appearances losing his place in the side before Christmas to new signing Harry McMenemy.
Sheffield Wednesday Starling was signed by Bob Brown but within a year Billy Walker was in charge.
Walker made Starling club captain and played him in a central midfield role prompting him to produce the best football of his career. As Wednesday struggled near the bottom of Division One, Starling joined Aston Villa for £6,900 on 6 January 1937, just a day after they had rejected a huge bid for Jackie Robinson from Arsenal. In total he played 176 league matches for Wednesday scoring 31 goals, and appeared in 17 matches without scoring.
Aston Villa During his time with Villa he made his second England appearance on 17 April 1937, also against Scotland, as inside left in the 3–1 defeat.
He remained on the books at Villa Park throughout World World War II winning the Football League North in 1944, although he did make guest appearances for Northampton Town, Walsall and Sheffield Wednesday during the conflict. After the war he made single appearances in the League and in 1946 before losing his place in the team and finally retiring in 1948, aged 39.
Retirement After retiring as a player, he spent time as a coach with Nottingham Forest before retiring from football altogether, becoming a newsagent, with a shop on Middlewood Road near to Sheffield Wednesday"s Hillsborough ground. Starling was photographed for the Sheffield Star newspaper with the trophy and Wednesday players shortly before his death on 17 December 1991, aged 82.