Born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, Gardner began his professional career with Harbour View, where he debuted as a starter at the age of only 14 years.

[3] His performances for Jamaica during the 1998 World Cup attracted English First Division side Bolton Wanderers to offer Harbour View £1 million for his services.

In this game, Bolton were reduced to 10 men after the sending off of Guðni Bergsson shortly after Gardner came on, but he scored a late winner to give his team a memorable 3–2 victory over West Brom.

[citation needed] A year later after being moved from a wing-back role back into midfield he scored in the Wanderers 2–0 win over local rivals Manchester City.

[14] It was later revealed that he had been omitted due to having had an operation on his knee that the Bolton medical staff could not guarantee he would recover from in time to play again that season.

[16] On 8 March 2011, Gardner went to Preston North End on an emergency one-month loan as cover for Phil Brown's side.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said it was a great chance for Gardner to improve his match fitness after only just recovering from injury.

[3] He is part owner, with Robert Scarlett and Ian Goodison, of a record label, Heart of Love Production,[3] which promotes ragga and dancehall music.