| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ross Gardner | ||
| Date of birth | 15 February 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | South Shields, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Nissan | |||
| Whitburn & Cleadon | |||
| Stella Maris | |||
| 2002–2003 | Newcastle United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2003–2006 | Nottingham Forest | 28 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | → Port Vale (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2007 | Port Vale | 9 | (1) |
| 2007–2008 | Ilkeston Town | 46 | (12) |
| 2008–2010 | Eastwood Town | 29 | (4) |
| 2010–2011 | Shildon | 5 | (0) |
| Total | 124 | (18) | |
| National team | |||
| 2000–2005 | England Youth | 43 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Ross Gardner (born 15 February 1985) is an English former professional footballer. He spent four years in the Football League, playing for Nottingham Forest and Port Vale. He later moved into non-league football with Ilkeston Town, Eastwood Town, and Shildon.
Gardner started his career off with Newcastle United as a youth team player. He made the switch to Nottingham Forest with Newcastle youth team-mate James Beaumont after a bust-up with academy coach Peter Beardsley.[1] The pair accused Beardsley of bullying, however an FA inquiry later cleared him of any wrongdoing.[2]
During the late stages of the 2004–05 season, as an 18 year old, Gardner managed to get into the first team make a few appearances. In November 2006, he joined Port Vale on loan, a deal that was made permanent two months later.[3] He was released by Vale in May 2007.[4]
Gardner joined non-league Ilkeston Town in the summer of 2007. Despite being offered a new one year deal, he decided to join Eastwood Town in June 2008. A highly influential player for Town,[5] he was released in May 2010.[6]
In 2010, he signed a contract to Northern League Division One side Shildon.[7] He played just five games for the club.[8]