Chris Tardif
Encyclopedia
Christopher Luke "Chris" Tardif (born 19 September 1979) is a former professional footballer, who currently plays for Guernsey F.C.
as a goalkeeper.
Tardif began his career as a trainee with Portsmouth
, turning professional in the 1998 close season. He joined Havant & Waterlooville
on loan in August 1999, playing in the first eight league games of Havants' first season in the Southern League Premier Division
. He also had a spell on loan with Newport (Isle of Wight) from March to May 2000 and finally made his Portsmouth debut in their 2-1 defeat at home to Tranmere in the FA Cup
on 6 January 2001. He made four further appearances for Portsmouth that season, all in the Championship as Portsmouth successfully avoided relegation. His only other appearance for Portsmouth came on 27 August 2001 when Tardif played in their 4-1 win at home to Grimsby Town
.
He spent the 2002-03 season on loan with Bournemouth
, playing 14 games in all competitions and, after a spell on loan with Newport (Isle of Wight), in October 2003 joined Havant & Waterlooville
on a month's loan, as cover for the injured Gareth Howells.
Released by Portsmouth, he joined Oxford United
in May 2004, on a two-year contract. He was a regular the following season. However, he found first-team football hard to come by in later seasons, particularly under Jim Smith
when Billy Turley
kept him out of the side to the extent that he had a transfer request accepted by Oxford in December 2006. In September 2007, he retired from professional football in order to start a new career, although planned to continue playing semi-professionally.
Tardif played one game as a triallist for Eastleigh
in October 2007, and joined Basingstoke Town
in December 2007, moving to Maidenhead United
in March 2008. He was an integral part of the Maidenhead side that narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the season, Tardif keeping four sheets in the final five games. He became a father shortly after the end of the season and chose to reduce the time spent travelling from his Portsmouth
home by joining Farnborough in May 2008. He joined Bognor Regis Town
in September 2008.
He returned to Maidenhead United
in the summer of 2009.
On 2 June 2010, Tardif rejoined Basingstoke Town
.. On the 26th of August 2010, Tardif had his Basingstoke Town contract terminated by mutual consent and returned to his home island, signing with St. Martin's A.C.
Since returning to Guernsey, Tardif has represented Guernsey in the 2011 Muratti Vase Final, losing on penalties to Jersey, and at the 2011 Island Games
. Also, in 2011 Chris joined the newly formed Guernsey FC
as their goalkeeper.
Guernsey F.C.
Guernsey F.C. is a football club located in Guernsey, Channel Islands. The club was formed in 2011 and became a member of the Combined Counties Football League Division One for the 2011–12 season...
as a goalkeeper.
Tardif began his career as a trainee with Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, turning professional in the 1998 close season. He joined Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
on loan in August 1999, playing in the first eight league games of Havants' first season in the Southern League Premier Division
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
. He also had a spell on loan with Newport (Isle of Wight) from March to May 2000 and finally made his Portsmouth debut in their 2-1 defeat at home to Tranmere in the FA Cup
FA Cup 2000-01
The 2000-01 FA Cup was the 120th season of the world's oldest knockout football competition, the Football Association Cup or FA Cup. The competition was won by Liverpool, who came from 1-0 behind against Arsenal to eventually win 2-1...
on 6 January 2001. He made four further appearances for Portsmouth that season, all in the Championship as Portsmouth successfully avoided relegation. His only other appearance for Portsmouth came on 27 August 2001 when Tardif played in their 4-1 win at home to Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
.
He spent the 2002-03 season on loan with Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, playing 14 games in all competitions and, after a spell on loan with Newport (Isle of Wight), in October 2003 joined Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
on a month's loan, as cover for the injured Gareth Howells.
Released by Portsmouth, he joined Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
in May 2004, on a two-year contract. He was a regular the following season. However, he found first-team football hard to come by in later seasons, particularly under Jim Smith
Jim Smith (footballer)
James Michael "Jim" Smith is a retired English footballer and manager. As a player, he made 249 appearances in the Fourth Division of The Football League, representing Aldershot, Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Colchester United, and played for three-and-a-half years for Boston United of the...
when Billy Turley
Billy Turley
William Lee "Billy" Turley is an English football goalkeeper who is currently playing at Southern League Premier Division side Brackley Town.- Career :...
kept him out of the side to the extent that he had a transfer request accepted by Oxford in December 2006. In September 2007, he retired from professional football in order to start a new career, although planned to continue playing semi-professionally.
Tardif played one game as a triallist for Eastleigh
Eastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
in October 2007, and joined Basingstoke Town
Basingstoke Town F.C.
Basingstoke Town Football Club is an English football club based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Camrose, named after their late benefactor, Lord Camrose. Their motto, 'Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum', means 'No stepping...
in December 2007, moving to Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
in March 2008. He was an integral part of the Maidenhead side that narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the season, Tardif keeping four sheets in the final five games. He became a father shortly after the end of the season and chose to reduce the time spent travelling from his Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
home by joining Farnborough in May 2008. He joined Bognor Regis Town
Bognor Regis Town F.C.
Bognor Regis Town Football Club is an English football club based in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. The club are currently members of Isthmian League Division One South and play at Nyewood Lane.-History:...
in September 2008.
He returned to Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
in the summer of 2009.
On 2 June 2010, Tardif rejoined Basingstoke Town
Basingstoke Town F.C.
Basingstoke Town Football Club is an English football club based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Camrose, named after their late benefactor, Lord Camrose. Their motto, 'Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum', means 'No stepping...
.. On the 26th of August 2010, Tardif had his Basingstoke Town contract terminated by mutual consent and returned to his home island, signing with St. Martin's A.C.
Since returning to Guernsey, Tardif has represented Guernsey in the 2011 Muratti Vase Final, losing on penalties to Jersey, and at the 2011 Island Games
2011 Island Games
The XIV Island Games was a major international multi-sport event held from June 25 to July 1, 2011, in the Isle of Wight, England. A total of 2,306 athletes from 24 islands competed in 15 sports and 190 events...
. Also, in 2011 Chris joined the newly formed Guernsey FC
Guernsey F.C.
Guernsey F.C. is a football club located in Guernsey, Channel Islands. The club was formed in 2011 and became a member of the Combined Counties Football League Division One for the 2011–12 season...
as their goalkeeper.