Len Gardner

Not to be confused with Len Gardner (footballer born 1931).
Len Gardner
Personal information
Full nameLeonard James Gardner
Date of birth1927
Date of death1990 (aged 62–63)
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
1942–1945, 1947–1951East Perth113 (46)
Umpiring career
YearsLeagueRole
1952-?WANFLField umpire
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 1951 season.
Career highlights
  • East Perth Premiership player - 1944
  • WANFL Grand Final umpire - 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961

Leonard James Gardner (1927 – 1990) was an Australian rules football player and umpire. He played for East Perth in the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL) during the 1940s and 1950s before becoming a WANFL umpire.

Playing career

Gardner made his debut for East Perth in 1942 and played 113 matches in two stints with the club between 1942 and 1951. He was a member of East Perth's 1944 premiership-winning team.[1][2]

Umpiring career

In 1952 he was nominated as a WANFL umpire and began officiating the same year.[3]

After a match between East Perth and Swan Districts in 1955, he was attacked by an angry mob of East Perth supporters unhappy with their team losing. He was smuggled out of the ground by police.[4]

He took charge of four WANFL grand finals, in 1956, 1958, 1960 and 1961.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "League Games Played (Earnshaw - Kutcher)". East Perth Football Club. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Every League Premiership Player in Page Finals System Era - 1931 - 2009". West Australian Football League. p. 5. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "East Perth A Source Of Umpires". The West Australian. 23 April 1952. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Umpire hit, kicked by W.A. mob". The Argus. 13 June 1955. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Grand Final Umpires - 1953-1959". West Australian National Football League Umpires Association. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Grand Final Umpires - 1960-1969". West Australian National Football League Umpires Association. Retrieved 18 September 2012.