The Story of Jamaican Football Legend: Ricardo Gardner

 

Written by Damalio Powell

Born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, on September 25, 1978, Ricardo Gardner is one of the greatest Jamaican players of all time. The left-winger who could also play in the centre of midfield or at the left wingback position was simply a phenomenal player.

In 1992, Ricardo Gardner played his 1st professional match at the age of 14 for Harbour View FC. Ricardo Gardner would go on to make his debut for Jamaica at the age of 17 on February 12, 1996, against Venezuela in Kingston, in a match that ended in a nil-all draw. Ricardo Gardner would score his 1st goal for Jamaica at the age of 18 in a 17th minute strike against Grenada, in the Caribbean Cup for the 3rd place match, on July 13, 1997, in a match that ended 4-1 in favour of the Reggae Boyz. Almost one month later on August 6, 1997, Ricardo Gardner would score his 2nd goal for Jamaica in a 1-0 win over Columbia in Kingston. 

On August 31, 1997, Ricardo Gardner would score his 3rd goal for Jamaica in a 6-1 victory over Trinidad & Tobago. After which he would take part in 7 matches for Jamaica in the World Cup Qualifiers for France 98. 

On June 14th, 1998, Ricardo Gardner would create the 1st World Cup assist in Jamaican history as he aided Robbie Earl to score in the 45th minute against Croatia, which would level the score at 1-1, but Jamaica would go on to lose the match 3-1. Gardner played in all the matches for Jamaica in the World Cup which earned him a transfer to Bolton Wanderers FC for 1.5-million-pound sterling from Harbour View FC on July 1, 1998. 

After the World Cup, Ricardo Gardner would play in all 5 matches for Jamaica in the Caribbean Cup, as the Reggae Boyz won their 2nd ever title, and the 1st and final title for the 19-year-old Gardner playing for Jamaica. Ricardo Gardner would make his 100th appearance at age of 29 for Jamaica in a 1-1 draw in a World Cup Qualifier against Canada in Toronto on August 20, 2008. In total Ricardo Gardner played 111 matches for Jamaica and scored 9 goals. 

On September 19, 2001, age 22 years and 11 months,  Ricardo Gardner became the 1st native Jamaican footballer to make an assist in the English Premier League in a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers. On February 2, 2002, Ricardo Gardner became the 1st native Jamaican to score in the English Premier League in a 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United. One-week later Ricardo Gardner became the 1st  Jamaican native to score back-to-back goals in the English Premier League. 

On December 26, 2002, age 24 years and 3 months, Ricardo Gardner became the 1st native Jamaican footballer to score both a goal and an assist in the English Premier League, which came against Newcastle United, in a 4-3 win, and his 5th goal in the Premiership. Ricardo Gardner’s 10th and final goal in the English Premier League would come against Tottenham Hotspur F.C, in a 2-2 draw, making him the 2nd Jamaican native to score 10 goals in the English Premier League after Ricardo Fuller. Along with his 10 goals, Gardner also registered 7 assists in his time in English Premier League.

In terms of appearances, On August 18, 2001, at the age of 22 years and 10 months, Ricardo Gardner became the 1st Jamaican native to feature in an English Premier League match, which came against Leicester City in a 5-0 win for Bolton Wonderers. On January 1, 2003, age 24 years and 3 months, Ricardo Gardner became the 1st Jamaican native to play in 50 English Premier League matches as Bolton lost to Aston Villa 2-0. 

On November 13, 2004, at the age of 26 years and 1 month, Ricardo Gardner became the 1st Jamaican native to feature in 100 as English Premier League matches as Bolton lost to Aston Villa once again 2-1. On September 27, 2008, at the age of 30, Ricardo Gardner became the 1st Jamaican native to play in 200 English Premier League matches which was in a match that Bolton lost to Manchester United 2-0. On October 22, 2011, Ricardo Gardner at age 33, became the 1st native Jamaican football player to feature in 250 English Premier League matches, in a 2-0 defeat to Sunderland.

Although almost all of Ricardo Gardner’s major achievements for the Reggae Boyz came as a teenager, the impact of those performances along with his age at the time, combined with his longevity in the team and his performances on the club level, makes him one of the greatest Jamaican players of all time.

Sources

http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/rgardner-intlg.html

https://www.transfermarkt.com/ricardo-gardner/nationalmannschaft/spieler/6264

https://www.transfermarkt.com/ricardo-gardner/alletore/spieler/6264