Anthony Derek Gardner (born 19 September 1980) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back.
He played once for the England national team and was bought and sold for millions of pounds in the domestic transfer market.
[4][5] He made 29 appearances in the 1999–2000 season under new manager Brian Horton, scoring goals at Queens Park Rangers, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United.
[11] However, he lost his first-team place after Jacques Santini replaced Glenn Hoddle as manager[2] Gardner scored his second Tottenham goal in a League Cup tie against Oldham Athletic on 22 September 2004.
[16] At the beginning of 2007–08, Gardner found himself on the teamsheet due to the ongoing injuries of Ledley King and Michael Dawson.
[citation needed] He managed to make an impact – in vain – by scoring his team's only goal in their second Premier League match of the season at home to Everton on 15 August 2007, which Tottenham lost 3–1.
[citation needed] On 31 January 2008, Gardner signed for Tottenham's Premier League rivals Everton on loan for the remainder of the season,[18] but did not make a single appearance.
[19] David Moyes had signed him to provide cover for the defensive backline after Alan Stubbs had departed, though the defence remained injury free and Gardner was not required to take to the field.
[20] Throughout the season, he played just six competitive matches for Tottenham as manager Juande Ramos had significantly bolstered the Spurs defence.
[23] Hull exercised their purchase option to make the loan move permanent in August for a £2.5 million fee, which at the time was a club record signing.
[citation needed] On 31 August 2010, he joined Crystal Palace on a five-month loan deal, which was later extended to the end of the season.
[34] Gardner was then an important part of Crystal Palace's defence in 2011–12 campaign and credited manager Dougie Freedman for instilling a good team spirit in the squad.
[52] He became an avid poker player after retiring from football, taking the screenname MaceWindu in reference to his favourite Star Wars character.