Stan, the son of centre-half and goalkeeper Harry Earle, played for West Ham Schools as a youth.

[6] Earle played in the Isthmian League with Vivian Gibbins at Clapton, and joined Arsenal as an amateur in March 1922.

He was an ever-present in 1926–27, playing in all 45 league and cup games – an achievement matched only by Jim Barrett, Jimmy Collins and Vic Watson.

[11] He made two appearances for the full England team, the first in a 3–1 victory against France on 17 May 1924 where he played alongside his Clapton colleague Gibbins.

The 2–0 defeat against Northern Ireland saw Hammers goalkeeper Ted Hufton taken to hospital after a broken arm sustained in the first half.