Full name Matthew Gardiner 1992–1993 Torquay United Name Matthew Gardiner | 1992 Torquay United Role Footballer Years Team Current team Worcester City F.C. | |
Date of birth (1974-03-28) 28 March 1974 (age 41) | ||
Place of birth Birmingham, England | ||
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Matthew Gardiner (born 28 March 1974) is an English former professional footballer. He is currently the head of coaching at Kidderminster Harriers Football Club (Conference North football club).
Gardiner was born in Birmingham, but began his career as an apprentice with Torquay United, turning professional in July 1992. He made his league debut in September the same year, coming on as a substitute for Danis Salmon in a 2-0 defeat away to Bury, but left Plainmoor the following summer after only 7 league appearances. He joined Shrewsbury Town but failed to make their first team, later playing for non-league side Moor Green, moving on to Stourbridge the following summer.
He later moved to Halesowen Town, but left them to join Conference side Hereford United in June 2000. Although Hereford were one of the mainly full-time Conference sides, Gardiner remained a part-time player, making his Conference debut on 2 September in a 3-0 win away at Woking. He was released by Hereford in the summer of 2001 after missing the end of the season through injury, joining Worcester City on 16 June. However, in August 2001 he was released by Worcester (by mutual consent) after only 4 games, one of the reasons being that he was still suffering the effects of the double hernia operation he had undergone while at Hereford.
Later that month he joined Redditch United, then moved quickly on to Evesham United before rejoining Hereford United on non-contract terms in September 2001. He moved to Hednesford Town in November 2001 as one of new manager Kenny Hibbitt's first signings.
He rejoined Redditch, moving to Evesham just before the start of the 2002/03 season. However, he returned to Redditch again in January 2003.
He moved to Worcester City in February 2005, but a month later was released to join local rivals Bromsgrove Rovers.
On 3 May 2016, Gardiner left his assistant managerial post at Worcester City to become the new Head of Coaching at Kidderminster Harriers under new manager John Eustace.