Player #379 for Aston Villa, Ronald William Starling, known as Ronnie Starling, and nicknamed Flutterfoot played as a forward for the club.

Ronnie played for Villa between 1936-37 and 1946-47 making 98 appearances and scoring 12 goals.

Ronnie was born in Pelaw-on-Tyne, Gateshead on 11 October 1909 and made his debut appearance for Villa on the 9 January 1937 aged 27.

Villa had signed Ronnie from Sheffield Wednesday for a fee of £7,500 just 3 days before his debut on 6th January 1937 and he went on to score 4 goals in 17 appearances in his debut season.

In the 1937-38 season Ronnie was an ever present as Villa won the Second Division Championship as Villa returned to the top flight after 2 years away.

Ronnie also helped Villa reach the FA Cup semi final where they lost 2-1 to eventual winners Preston North End at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. That was Ronnie’s fourth FA Cup semi final with with four different clubs.

For Villa’s return season to the top flight in 1938-39, Ronnie made 28 appearances as he made the transition to Division One with ease.

However, like many players of the era, Ronnie lost 6 years to the Second World War as the suspension prevented professional football from operating however Ronnie returned to Villa to resumed his career but this was limited to the interim regional league in 1945-46 during which he played 28 times.

Following the resumption of league football proper Ronnie made just one further appearance in 1946-47 coming at the tail end of the season on 12 April 1947 at the age of 37 before retiring from football. Ronnie moved on to Nottingham Forest to take up a coaching position.

Ronnie played under Jimmy Hogan and Alex Massie.

Ronnie passed away in Sheffield on 17th December 1991 aged 82.