Paul Gardner

Who is Paul Gardner?

Paul Gardner is an English former professional footballer. He played as a right-back.

Gardner began his career with Allan Brown's Blackpool in 1976. He made his League debut for the club on 25 September, in a single-goal defeat at Chelsea, and went on to make a further 21 starts as Blackpool finished fifth in Division Two at the end of the 1976–77 campaign. He also played in the club's three games against Arsenal in the third round of the League Cup. He had made his first appearance for the club in the initial tie on 21 September. After the third replay, Allan Brown said of Gardner: "The boy has had hard matches every game he has played: three against Arsenal and against Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers. He has responded superbly."

In 1977–78, Gardner made 31 league appearances as Blackpool finished 20th and were relegated to Division Three.

Under new manager Bob Stokoe, Gardner made 23 appearances during the 1978–79 campaign, and 40 the following season, 1979–80, under Stan Ternent, firstly, then Alan Ball.

In 1980–81, Gardner scored his first and only goal of his career. It came in a 4–2 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on 16 September 1980.