Anthony Gardner played once for the England national team and was bought and sold for millions of pounds in the domestic transfer market.
21 Facts About Anthony Gardner
1.
2.
Anthony Gardner spent eight years at the Premier League club, making 142 appearances in all competitions.
3.
Anthony Gardner signed with Sheffield Wednesday in June 2012 and stayed with the club for two years.
4.
Anthony Gardner was initially a forward before being moved into defence.
5.
Anthony Gardner began his career with First Division club Port Vale after signing associate schoolboy forms in 1997.
6.
Anthony Gardner signed his first professional contract on 31 July 1998.
7.
Anthony Gardner had been scouted by director of football David Pleat.
8.
Anthony Gardner worked his way up through the reserve team before making his debut as a substitute against Derby County in March 2001.
9.
However, he lost his first-team place after Jacques Santini replaced Glenn Hoddle as manager Anthony Gardner scored his second Tottenham goal in a League Cup tie against Oldham Athletic on 22 September 2004.
10.
Anthony Gardner was stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle in the 42nd minute.
11.
On 31 January 2008, Anthony Gardner signed for Tottenham's Premier League rivals Everton on loan for the remainder of the season, but did not make a single appearance.
12.
David Moyes had signed him to provide cover for the defensive backline after Alan Stubbs had departed, though the defence remained injury free and Anthony Gardner was not required to take to the field.
13.
On 23 March 2009, it was revealed that Anthony Gardner missed the remainder of the season after x-rays revealed four fractured vertebrae in the base of his spine.
14.
Anthony Gardner made 28 Championship appearances for Palace over the course of the season, forming a solid partnership with Paddy McCarthy.
15.
Anthony Gardner was short-listed for the club's Player of the Year award at the end of the season, though the award instead went to fellow defender Jonathan Parr.
16.
Anthony Gardner signed a two-year contract with Championship newcomers Sheffield Wednesday on 20 June 2012; manager Dave Jones said that he "is a quality player and a leader, with Championship and Premiership pedigree".
17.
Anthony Gardner was released by new manager Stuart Gray in May 2014.
18.
Anthony Gardner represented England at under-21 level, gaining one cap under David Platt in March 2002.
19.
Anthony Gardner earned his England call-up as cover for Gareth Southgate in a friendly against Denmark in March 2004.
20.
Anthony Gardner won his first and only England cap against Sweden on 31 March 2004, after Sven-Goran Eriksson used him as a half-time substitute for Jonathan Woodgate.
21.
Anthony Gardner became an avid poker player after retiring from football, taking the screenname MaceWindu in reference to his favourite Star Wars character.