Career
He originally joined as a centre-forward but was converted to a centre-back, as he became a first choice player in the seasons preceding World World War World War II He appeared in the 1939 Final for the club, where lost to Portsmouth in the Wembley showpiece. He also narrowly missed out on glory in the league championship as the club finished runners-up for two successive seasons in the late 1930s. He remained with the club while the Football League was suspended during wartime, turning out in regional action.
He announced his playing retirement in May 1944 but remained on the coaching staff
He was the club"s main trainer in the Stan Cullis era as the club became one of the great sides of Europe, winning three league titles and two son When Cullis became manager of neighbours Birmingham City in 1965, Gardiner joined him again.
He returned to Wolves in 1969 as a scout, and helped discover the likes of John Richards. He died in 1997.