Gheorghe Gornea was born on 2 August 1944 in Sinaia, Romania and he started playing football at Carpați Sinaia, before transferring at Steaua București where he made his Divizia A debut on 30 August 1964 in a 4–0 away victory against Știința Craiova.

[5] Gornea went to play for one season in Divizia B at Minerul Baia Mare, afterwards transferring at CSM Reșița, being brought there by his former coach from UTA, Ioan Reinhardt, where on 11 March 1973 he made his last Divizia A appearance in a 5–1 loss against Steagul Roșu Brașov, having a total of 143 matches played in the competition, retiring after playing three more seasons at Rapid Arad in Divizia B.

[1][2] Gheorghe Gornea played four games in which he conceded two goals at international level for Romania, all under the guidance of coach Angelo Niculescu, making his debut on 27 October 1968 when he came as a substitute at half-time and replaced Narcis Coman in a 3–0 away loss against Portugal at the 1970 World Cup qualifiers in which he conceded one goal from Jacinto Santos.

[2][6] Gornea was also selected by Angelo Niculescu to be part of Romania's squad at the 1970 World Cup final tournament, but he did not play in any game there.

[2][8] After he retired, Gornea struggled with alcoholism and had both of his legs amputated, dying in 2005 in his native town, Sinaia.