Anthony Gardner
Personal information
Full name Anthony Derek Gardner[1]
Date of birth (1980-09-19) 19 September 1980[1]
Place of birth Stafford, England[2]
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1]
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1997–1998 Port Vale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2000 Port Vale 41 (4)
2000–2008 Tottenham Hotspur 114 (2)
2008 → Everton (loan) 0 (0)
2008 → Hull City (loan) 0 (0)
2008–2011 Hull City 32 (0)
2010–2011 → Crystal Palace (loan) 28 (1)
2011–2012 Crystal Palace 28 (0)
2012–2014 Sheffield Wednesday 42 (0)
Total 285 (7)
International career
2001 England U21 1 (0)
2004 England 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Anthony Derek Gardner (born 19 September 1980) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back. He played once for the England national team and was bought and sold for millions of pounds in the domestic transfer market. However, his career was dogged with injuries, limiting his appearances.

Starting his career with Port Vale in 1998, within two years he earned an £855,000 move to Tottenham Hotspur. He spent eight years at the Premier League club, making 142 appearances in all competitions. In 2008. he spent time on loan at both Everton and Hull City, before signing permanently with the latter that summer for £2.5 million. He spent the 2010–11 season on loan at Crystal Palace, before joining the club permanently the next season. He signed with Sheffield Wednesday in June 2012, and stayed with the club for two years.

Club career

Port Vale

Born and raised in Stafford, Gardner played football for local junior club Stafford Falcons.[2] He was initially a forward, before being moved into defence.[2] He began his career with First Division club Port Vale after signing associate schoolboy forms in 1997.[3] He signed his first professional contract on 31 July 1998.[1] He made his first-team debut under John Rudge on 31 October, in a 3–2 defeat to Sheffield United at Vale Park.[2] He scored his first senior goal on 1 May 1999, in a 2–0 win over Queens Park Rangers.[4] He won the club's young Player of the Year award for the 1998–99 season and making 15 league appearances.[4][5]

He made 29 appearances in the 1999–2000 season under new manager Brian Horton, scoring goals at Queens Park Rangers, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United.[6] At the end of the season, Vale were relegated into the Second Division, but by that time Gardner had already left the club.

Tottenham Hotspur

Gardner signed for George Graham's Tottenham Hotspur in January 2000 for a fee of £855,000.[5] He had been scouted by director of football David Pleat.[2] Garnder worked his way up through the reserve team before making his debut as a substitute against Derby County in March 2001.[2] He finished 2000–01 with eight appearances.[7] However, he suffered knee ligament damage at the back end of the season which ruled him out until December.[2] He played 19 matches in the 2001–02 campaign.[8]

Gardner scored his first goal for Tottenham in a 3–2 victory over local rivals West Ham United in September 2002.[9] However, he was limited to just 13 appearances in 2002–03.[10] He managed to play 40 matches in 2003–04, with 33 of these matches being in the Premier League.[11] However, he lost his first-team place after Jacques Santini replaced Glenn Hoddle as manager[2] Gardner scored his second Tottenham goal in a League Cup tie against Oldham Athletic on 22 September 2004.[12] However, he made just 17 league appearances in 2004–05.[13] Injury restricted him to just 17 league matches again in 2005–06,[14][15] and made just 16 appearances in 2006–07, of which eight were in the league.[16]

At the beginning of 2007–08, Gardner found himself on the teamsheet due to the ongoing injuries of Ledley King and Michael Dawson. He managed to make an impact – in vain – by scoring his team's only goal in their second Premier League match of the season at home to Everton on 15 August 2007, which Tottenham lost 3–1.[17] On 25 October, he was injured playing against Getafe in the UEFA Cup. He was stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle in the 42nd minute. On 31 January 2008, Gardner signed for Tottenham's Premier League rivals Everton on loan for the remainder of the season,[18] but did not make a single appearance.[19] Over the course of the season, he played just six competitive matches for Tottenham.[19]

Hull City

Gardner was loaned to Premier League newcomers Hull City at the start of 2008–09.[20] The initial deal was to last until January 2009,[21] but Hull had the option of purchasing him at any point during the loan period.[22] Hull exercised their purchase option to make the loan move permanent in August for a £2.5 million fee, which at the time was a club record signing.[23] On 23 March 2009, it was revealed that Gardner missed the remainder of the season after x-rays revealed four fractured vertebrae in the base of his spine.[24] The injury was sustained in the 2–1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium six days earlier.[25] Hull avoided relegation, however, Gardner only played eight matches in 2008–09.[26]

Gardner played 24 matches in 2009–10,[27] as Hull suffered relegation into the Championship after finishing in 19th place. He made a further three appearances in 2010–11,[28] before leaving the club.

Crystal Palace

On 31 August 2010, he joined Crystal Palace on a five-month loan deal, which was later extended to the end of the season.[29] He scored his first goal for Palace in a 2–1 win at Norwich City on 19 October.[30] Gardner made 28 Championship appearances for Palace over the course of the season, forming a solid partnership with Paddy McCarthy.[28][31] At the end of the season, Gardner was not offered a new contract by Hull.[32] This allowed him to sign for Palace on a one-year contract on 19 August 2011.[33]

Gardner was then an important part of Crystal Palace's defence in 2011–12 campaign and credited manager Dougie Freedman for instilling a good team spirit in the squad.[34] He played all 120 minutes of Palace's "stunning extra time victory at Old Trafford" on 30 November 2011, as they defeated Premier League champions Manchester United 2–1 to reach the semi-final of the League Cup.[35][36] He scored with his head for the home team at both Selhurst Park and the Cardiff City Stadium in the semi-final, leaving the tie level at 1–1 after two legs; Cardiff City won the subsequent penalty shoot-out to deny Palace a place at the final.[37][38] He was ruled out for the rest of the campaign after sustaining ankle and hamstring problems at the end of March.[39] Gardner was short-listed for the club's Player of the Year award at the end of the season, though the award instead went to fellow defender Jonathan Parr.[40] Palace offered him a new contract, but it quickly became apparent that Gardner would instead be moving to a new club.[41]

Sheffield Wednesday

He signed a two-year contract with Championship newcomers Sheffield Wednesday on 20 June 2012; manager Dave Jones said that he "is a quality player and a leader, with Championship and Premiership pedigree".[42] He made his Wednesday debut on 13 August, in a 4–2 League Cup win over Oldham Athletic.[43] He made 38 appearances in 2012–13, and was twice named on the Championship Team of the Week.[44][45]

Gardner played six matches before being ruled out for 2013–14 after requiring surgery on an Achilles injury in September.[46] He was released by new manager Stuart Gray in May 2014.[47]

International career

Gardner represented England at under-21 level, gaining one cap under David Platt.

Gardner began to impress during 2003–04, and earned his England call-up as cover for Gareth Southgate in a friendly against Denmark in March 2004.[48] He won his first and only England cap against Sweden on 31 March 2004, after Sven-Göran Eriksson used him as a half-time substitute for Jonathan Woodgate.[49]

Personal life

His cousin, Jordan Fincher, took part in Sky1's Football's Next Star in 2010.[50]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale 1998–99[4] First Division 1510000—151
1999–2000[6] First Division 2631020—293
Total 4141020—444
Tottenham Hotspur 1999–2000[6] Premier League 00———00
2000–01[7] Premier League 800000—80
2001–02[8] Premier League 1501030—190
2002–03[10] Premier League 1210010—131
2003–04[11] Premier League 3303040—400
2004–05[13] Premier League 1705021—241
2005–06[14] Premier League 1701000—180
2006–07[16] Premier League 8040301[lower-alpha 1]0160
2007–08[19] Premier League 4100002[lower-alpha 1]061
Total 1142140131301443
Everton (loan) 2007–08[19] Premier League 00———00
Hull City 2008–09[26] Premier League 602000—80
2009–10[27] Premier League 2400000—240
2010–11[28] Championship 20—10—30
Total 3202010—350
Crystal Palace (loan) 2010–11[28] Championship 28110——291
Crystal Palace 2011–12[51] Championship 2800051—331
Total 5611051—622
Sheffield Wednesday 2012–13[52] Championship 3700010—380
2013–14[53] Championship 500010—60
Total 4200020—440
Career total 2857180232303299
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England[54] 200410
Total10

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Anthony Gardner Interview". The Vale Park Beano. 118.
  3. ↑ Spinks, Martin (21 April 2017). "Port Vale hero a contract killer in last draw with Bolton". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Black History Month: Port Vale Football Club". www.port-vale.co.uk. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  9. ↑ "Spurs sink West Ham". BBC Sport. 15 September 2002. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  10. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "Oldham 0–6 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 22 September 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  13. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  14. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  15. ↑ "Anthony Gardner Tottenham Hotspur Player Profile". 4thegame. Fast Web Media. Archived from the original on 13 March 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2007.
  16. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  17. ↑ "Tottenham 1–3 Everton". BBC Sport. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  18. ↑ "Everton seal Gardner loan switch". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  20. ↑ "Gardner eager to shine for Tigers". BBC Sport. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  21. ↑ "Hull sign Spurs' Gardner on loan". BBC Sport. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  22. ↑ "Gardner: It was an easy decision". Hull Daily Mail. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  23. ↑ "Hull make Gardner record signing". BBC Sport. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  24. ↑ "Gardner will miss rest of season". BBC Sport. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  25. ↑ Brooks, James (23 March 2009). "Gardner – X-Ray reveals broken back". Vital Hull. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  26. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  27. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  29. ↑ "Palace capture Gardner". Holmesdale Online. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  30. ↑ "Norwich 1–2 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  31. ↑ "Gardner joins Eagles". Holmesdale Online. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  32. ↑ "Tigers allow four to leave". Hull City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011.
  33. ↑ "Anthony Gardner returns to Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  34. ↑ "Gardner hails new togetherness". Holmesdale Online. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  35. ↑ Sheringham, Sam (30 November 2011). "Man Utd 1–2 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  36. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (30 November 2011). "Palace's Glenn Murray knocks Manchester United out of Carling Cup". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  37. ↑ Magowan, Alistair (10 January 2012). "Crystal Palace 1–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  38. ↑ "Cardiff 1–0 Crystal Palace (agg 1–1)". BBC Sport. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  39. ↑ "Eagles duo out for season". Holmesdale Online. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  40. ↑ Moody, Graham (15 May 2012). "Parr named Eagles' player of the year". This Is Local London. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  41. ↑ "Owls clinch third signing of the summer". The Star. Sheffield. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  42. ↑ "Gardner heads to Hillsborough". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012.
  43. ↑ "Chris O'Grady scored twice against his former club as Sheffield Wednesday came from behind to beat Oldham Athletic in the League Cup". BBC Sport. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  44. ↑ "Championship Team of the Week". The Football League. Archived from the original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  45. ↑ "Championship Team of the Week". The Football League. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  46. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday: Anthony Gardner faces Achilles surgery". BBC Sport. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  47. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday offer Chris Kirkland new deal as eight go". BBC Sport. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  48. ↑ "Anthony Gardner". BBC Sport. 11 November 2003. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  49. ↑ "Sweden 1 England 0 [0–0]". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  50. ↑ "Football: Stafford teenager hoping to win contract with Inter Milan". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Gardner in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  54. ↑ "Gardner, Anthony". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
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