Browning was born into a farming family at
Ashley, near
New Milton and represented New Forest Schools before joining
New Milton of the
Hampshire League in 1934. In May 1935, Browning moved across the
New Forest to join
Southampton of the
Football League Second Division. He started
the next season as first-choice right-back before a serious knee injury in early October put him out of the game for several months. On his return in February, he had lost his consistency and only played another four matches before being
transfer-listed for a
fee of £500 in May 1938. No other club came in for him, so he remained at The Dell for another year, making only six reserve-team appearances before he was released in May 1939. ==Later career==