Ricardo Gardner (born 25 September 1978 in Saint Andrew, Jamaica) is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for Bolton Wanderers. He is naturally a left winger but can also play in the centre of midfield or at left wingback.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Early career

Gardner began his professional career with Harbour View F.C., where he debuted as a starter at only 14 years old. He also, representing Wolmer's Boys' High School, dominated the local high school football leagues and has gained legendary status^{[citation needed]}. Gardner is today recognised as one of the greatest high school football players ever in Jamaica^{[citation needed]}.

His good performances for Jamaica during the 1998 World Cup attracted Bolton Wanderers, then playing in what is now known as the Football League Championship to offer Harbour View £1 million for his services.

[edit] Bolton Wanderers

Gardner immediately established himself a place in the first team for Bolton, making 22 appearances, half of them starts, in his first year while scoring three goals. In his second season, 1999-00, he established a place in the starting eleven, starting 23 of 26 games, that he has held on to since. Although Gardner suffered a cruciate ligament injury that took him out of action at the end of the season, he made a full recovery, and was able to return to the starting lineup in 2000–01 (scoring in the 2001 Division One Play off Final), playing with the promoted Bolton in the Premier League. Due to a knee injury, Gardner did not make his first appearance in the 2006–07 season until December.

[edit] Career statistics

Stats correct as of matches played 23 January 2010^[1]

[edit] International career

Gardner rose to international prominence following the 1998 World Cup. Gardner has also been an important player for the Jamaican national team for much of the last decade and has earned his place as the team's captain. He captains every match for the team whenever he plays and he has been from 2005.

[edit] Personal life

Gardner is involved in dancehall music, he promotes for his record label Heart of Love Productions.^{[citation needed]}

As Chief Executive Officer at the Mona based Heart of Love Production/Entertainment Management/Booking Agency, Bibi has orchestrated the rise of Dancehall artiste Erupt.^{[citation needed]}

Heart of Love which consists of Gardner's cousin, Nigel Grant and Camara Rowe, has been responsible for Erupt's hit "Seh dem a Gangsta". Other popular rhythms produced have been, "Gangsta Sittin" and the "Potential" rhythm, which featured the likes of Sizzla Kalonge, Erupt, Natural Black, Richie Spice and A'taru.^{[citation needed]}

Bibi himself has release the track "Denali" on the Mad Ting Riddim.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Profile at Boltonwanderers.us
• Ricardo Gardner career stats at Soccerbase

v • d • e Jamaica squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Barrett • 2 Malcolm • 3 Dawes • 4 Dixon • 5 Goodison • 6 Simpson • 7 Cargill • 8 Gayle • 9 Williams • 10 Boyd • 11 Whitmore • 12 Sewell • 13 Lawrence • 14 Ricketts • 15 Gardner • 16 Earle • 17 Lowe • 18 Burton • 19 Sinclair • 20 Powell • 21 Brown • 22 Hall • Coach: Simões

v • d • e Jamaica squad – 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup 1 Ricketts • 2 Vernon • 3 Stewart • 4 Davis • 5 Goodison • 7 Morrison • 8 Campbell-Ryce • 10 Fuller • 11 Shelton • 12 Phillips • 13 Kerr • 14 Marshall • 15 Gardner • 16 Johnson • 17 Austin • 18 Wolfe • 19 Addlery • 20 Thompson • 21 Miller • 22 Cummings • 23 Richards • 24 Thomas • Coach: Whitmore