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Wanderers ace wants to add Caribbean flair to the Reebok
3:00pm Thursday 12th November 2009
By Marc Iles »
RICARDO Gardner hopes to mark more than a decade of service with Wanderers by staging a Caribbean carnival at the Reebok.
The Jamaica international has been granted a testimonial by the club and hopes to convince his national team coach to bring over a side for the occasion.
Plans are in their early stages at present and could be delayed for a year because of this summer’s World Cup.
But Gardner is keen to follow Jussi Jaaskelainen’s lead and make sure that others also benefit from the game after the Finn donated the proceeds of his summer testimonial against Hibs to three worthy local charities.
“There are no firm plans yet as I am waiting for the right time,” said the 31-year-old.
“With the World Cup coming up at the end of the season, it is going to be difficult, so maybe I will think about having it the following year.
“It is something that I would definitely like to have because I want to celebrate with the fans and charities as well. I’m not too sure who I would like to play against, maybe it could be against Jamaica or a pre-season game, like Jussi’s.
“I would be overwhelmed if it did take place because I have been here for years and whenever I have put on a Bolton shirt, I have always tried my best.”
Gardner is currently featuring in his 12th season at the Reebok after signing for the club from Harbour View after the 1998 World Cup.
And while the livewire midfielder has shown few signs of slowing down, he has already started to sow the seeds for life after he hangs up his boots.
Along with a successful record label, Heart of Love Productions, Gardner hopes to use his influence to help other young Caribbean players gain a foothold in European football.
“I am trying to organise something at the club where I can help young players in the future,” he said. “Ludlow Bernard was the coach when I was 14 years old — he gave me the chance and has done so much for me in my career, along with Rene Simoes, who led Jamaica to the World Cup in 1998. They both helped me get started in football and got me to where I am now.
“There is a lot of talent back home and it just needs to be recognised, and hopefully I can play a part by giving them an opportunity from a young age. There have been players that are greater than me and have been overlooked in the past.”
Wanderers skipper Kevin Davies recently took his first step on the coaching ladder by taking his UEFA B Licence but Gardner says he has no plans to follow his team-mate.
“I don’t really think coaching is for me but if I could do something back home to help younger players then that would be something I would love to do.
“They need a bit of exposure and, for instance, my good friend and former Wanderers team-mate Ibrahim Ba has been doing something similar for AC Milan and other clubs around Europe. Hopefully, if I can spot good, young talent then we can work together and find them a club and get that experience early.”
Wanderers ace wants to add Caribbean flair to the Reebok
3:00pm Thursday 12th November 2009
By Marc Iles »
RICARDO Gardner hopes to mark more than a decade of service with Wanderers by staging a Caribbean carnival at the Reebok.
The Jamaica international has been granted a testimonial by the club and hopes to convince his national team coach to bring over a side for the occasion.
Plans are in their early stages at present and could be delayed for a year because of this summer’s World Cup.
But Gardner is keen to follow Jussi Jaaskelainen’s lead and make sure that others also benefit from the game after the Finn donated the proceeds of his summer testimonial against Hibs to three worthy local charities.
“There are no firm plans yet as I am waiting for the right time,” said the 31-year-old.
“With the World Cup coming up at the end of the season, it is going to be difficult, so maybe I will think about having it the following year.
“It is something that I would definitely like to have because I want to celebrate with the fans and charities as well. I’m not too sure who I would like to play against, maybe it could be against Jamaica or a pre-season game, like Jussi’s.
“I would be overwhelmed if it did take place because I have been here for years and whenever I have put on a Bolton shirt, I have always tried my best.”
Gardner is currently featuring in his 12th season at the Reebok after signing for the club from Harbour View after the 1998 World Cup.
And while the livewire midfielder has shown few signs of slowing down, he has already started to sow the seeds for life after he hangs up his boots.
Along with a successful record label, Heart of Love Productions, Gardner hopes to use his influence to help other young Caribbean players gain a foothold in European football.
“I am trying to organise something at the club where I can help young players in the future,” he said. “Ludlow Bernard was the coach when I was 14 years old — he gave me the chance and has done so much for me in my career, along with Rene Simoes, who led Jamaica to the World Cup in 1998. They both helped me get started in football and got me to where I am now.
“There is a lot of talent back home and it just needs to be recognised, and hopefully I can play a part by giving them an opportunity from a young age. There have been players that are greater than me and have been overlooked in the past.”
Wanderers skipper Kevin Davies recently took his first step on the coaching ladder by taking his UEFA B Licence but Gardner says he has no plans to follow his team-mate.
“I don’t really think coaching is for me but if I could do something back home to help younger players then that would be something I would love to do.
“They need a bit of exposure and, for instance, my good friend and former Wanderers team-mate Ibrahim Ba has been doing something similar for AC Milan and other clubs around Europe. Hopefully, if I can spot good, young talent then we can work together and find them a club and get that experience early.”
Our professional ballas could take Bibi's words to heart! 
A Lazie yuh a tek step wid?
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