Former winger turned attack-minded left-back has relocated from Jamaica and spent 10 happy years at Bolton
Making his name with the cross that set up Robbie Earle for Jamaica’s first-ever World Cup goal in 1998, Gardner was quickly brought from Harbour View to Bolton by Colin Todd at the age of 19.
Initially a pacy left-winger, Gardner developed as a talented dribbler who terrorised full-backs and scored a memorable solo goal in Bolton’s play-off final victory against Preston. An end product remained Gardner’s weakness, though, and he was switched to left-back soon after the Trotters reached the Premier League, making an impressive transition.
Now captain of his country, Gardner has matured as a player although serious injuries have interrupted his progress. In November 2007 he chose Bayern Munich as the venue to score his first goal in five years.