Matthew Gardiner
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Matthew Gardiner (born March 28, 1974) is an English former professional footballer. He currently plays for Southern League side Bromsgrove Rovers.
Gardiner was born in Birmingham, but began his career as an apprentice with Torquay United, turning professional in July 1992. He made his league debut in September the same year, coming on as a substitute for Danis Salmon in a 2-0 defeat away to Bury, but left Plainmoor the following summer after only 7 league appearances. He joined Shrewsbury Town but failed to make their first team, later playing for non-league side Moor Green, moving on to Stourbridge the following summer.
He later moved to Halesowen Town, but left them to join Conference side Hereford United in June 2000.[1] Although Hereford were one of the mainly full-time Conference sides, Gardiner remained a part-time player, making his Conference debut on the 2nd of September in a 3-0 win away at Woking. He was released by Hereford in the summer of 2001 after missing the end of the season through injury, joining Worcester City on the 16th of June. However, in August 2001 he was released by Worcester (by mutual consent) after only 4 games, one of the reasons being that he was still suffering the effects of the double hernia operation he had undergone while at Hereford.[2]
Later that month he joined Redditch United, then moved quickly on to Evesham United before rejoining Hereford United on non-contract terms in September 2001.[3] He moved to Hednesford Town in November 2001 as one of new manager Kenny Hibbitt's first signings.[4]
He rejoined Redditch, moving to Evesham just before the start of the 2002/03 season. However, he returned to Redditch again in January 2003.[5]
He moved to Worcester City in February 2005,[6] but a month later was released to join local rivals Bromsgrove Rovers.[7]
