Joseph Gardiner (23 August 1916 – 1997) was an English footballer, who served Wolverhampton Wanderers as both player and coach.
Gardiner joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 1932, signing professionally the following year before making his league debut on 23 February 1935 in a 2–5 loss at Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion.
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 War II.
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.