PLAYER PROFILE

Ricardo Gardner

Position: Defence

Height: 5'9

Weight: 11st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1978-09-25 St Andrews, Jamaica

Ricardo Gardner

Gardner joined Bolton in August 1998. He is capable of playing at full back or on the left side of midfield. He suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the 1999-2000 season but re-emerged in the 2000-2001 showing the class that he always promised to show.

He was a remarkably young 14-years-old when he first played professionally for Harbour View in Kingston, Jamaica. A further feat followed in 1996 when he made his debut for Rene Simoes' international team. He has already made over 30 appearances for Jamaica since then, including an honour only afforded to a select group of Bolton players: he has experience in a World Cup finals after his time at France '98.

Gardner's debut in English football was fitting for such a player who never scores an ordinary-looking goal. In September 1998, he came on at West Bromwich Albion for 25 minutes and scored the winner with two minutes to go.

In the 2001/02 season, Gardner made 33 appearances, scoring 3 goals, impressing in his first season in the Barclaycard Premiership.

The young Jamaican built on his growing reputation the following season playing a major role in securing Bolton's topflight status for a second season running. He missed only six league games all season, scoring two goals on the way and picking up one red card.

He started the following season representing his country at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was home for the start of the season after Jamaica were eliminated following the group stages, and went on to have another great season for the Trotters, making 26 appearances.

The 2004/05 season saw another fine season in Bolton colours for Gardner. The only downside came from a cartilage problem in his knee which kept him out for much of December.

However, he recovered quickly and clocked up a total of 38 appearances, although he did not score.

He made a further forty-four appearances in another impressive season in 2005/06. However, this was reduced to sixteen thanks to a knee injury in 06/07.