Paul Gardner (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Gardner is an English former professional footballer. He played as a right-back
.
Gardner began his career with Allan Brown's Blackpool
in 1976. He made his League debut for the club on 25 September, in a single-goal defeat at Chelsea
, and went on to make a further 21 starts as Blackpool finished fifth in Division Two
at the end of the 1976–77
campaign. He also played in the club's three games (two replays) against Arsenal
in the third round of the League Cup
. He had made his first appearance for the club in the initial tie on 21 September. After the third replay, Allan Brown said of Gardner: "The boy has had hard matches every game he has played: three against Arsenal and against Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers. He has responded superbly."
In 1977–78
, Gardner made 31 league appearances as Blackpool finished 20th and were relegated to Division Three
.
Under new manager Bob Stokoe
, Gardner made 23 appearances during the 1978–79
campaign, and 40 the following season, 1979–80
, under Stan Ternent
, firstly, then Alan Ball.
In 1980–81
, Gardner scored his first and only goal of his career. It came in a 4–2 defeat to Sheffield United
at Bramall Lane
on 16 September 1980.
Allan Brown, who signed Gardner for Blackpool, returned as manager during the 1980–81 season, but in 1981–82
he gave only twelve starts to the defender. At the end of the season, after just over 150 league games for the Seasiders, he was sold to Bury
.
Gardner spent two years at Gigg Lane
, making almost a century of league appearances for the club. In 1984, he had a short spell with Swansea City, and then finished his career with Wigan Athletic
.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Gardner began his career with Allan Brown's Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in 1976. He made his League debut for the club on 25 September, in a single-goal defeat at Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, and went on to make a further 21 starts as Blackpool finished fifth in Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
at the end of the 1976–77
Blackpool F.C. season 1976-77
The 1976-77 season was Blackpool F.C.s 70th season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing fifth....
campaign. He also played in the club's three games (two replays) against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the third round of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. He had made his first appearance for the club in the initial tie on 21 September. After the third replay, Allan Brown said of Gardner: "The boy has had hard matches every game he has played: three against Arsenal and against Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers. He has responded superbly."
In 1977–78
Blackpool F.C. season 1977-78
The 1977-78 season was Blackpool F.C.s 71st season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing twentieth, their lowest League position since 1928...
, Gardner made 31 league appearances as Blackpool finished 20th and were relegated to Division Three
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
.
Under new manager Bob Stokoe
Bob Stokoe
Robert "Bob" Stokoe was an English footballer and manager who was able, almost uniquely, to transcend the traditional north-east rivalry between the region's footballing giants, Newcastle United and Sunderland....
, Gardner made 23 appearances during the 1978–79
Blackpool F.C. season 1978-79
The 1978-79 season was Blackpool F.C.s 72nd season in the Football League. They competed in the 24-team Division Three, then the third tier of English football, finishing twelfth....
campaign, and 40 the following season, 1979–80
Blackpool F.C. season 1979-80
The 1979-80 season was Blackpool F.C.s 73rd season in the Football League. They competed in the 24-team Division Three, then the third tier of English football, finishing eighteenth....
, under Stan Ternent
Stan Ternent
Francis Stanley "Stan" Ternent is an English former footballer and manager. He managed Blackpool, Hull City, Bury, Burnley, Gillingham and Huddersfield Town. He is currently a scout for Sunderland.-Career:...
, firstly, then Alan Ball.
In 1980–81
Blackpool F.C. season 1980-81
The 1980-81 season was Blackpool F.C.s 74th season in the Football League. They competed in the 24-team Division Three, then the third tier of English football, finishing second-bottom...
, Gardner scored his first and only goal of his career. It came in a 4–2 defeat to Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
on 16 September 1980.
Allan Brown, who signed Gardner for Blackpool, returned as manager during the 1980–81 season, but in 1981–82
Blackpool F.C. season 1981-82
The 1981-82 season was Blackpool F.C.s 75th season in the Football League. They competed in the 24-team Division Four, then the bottom tier of English football, finishing twelfth....
he gave only twelve starts to the defender. At the end of the season, after just over 150 league games for the Seasiders, he was sold to Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
.
Gardner spent two years at Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it was built for Bury F.C. in 1885, and has been their home ever since.-History:...
, making almost a century of league appearances for the club. In 1984, he had a short spell with Swansea City, and then finished his career with Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
.