During his soccer career he was a regular first team centre half and Captain forming a formidable partnership with Ken Crozier, one that took the R.U.C. to the semifinal of the Irish Cup in 1980 before loosing a replay to Crusaders at Windsor Park.

Gardner was also a member of the first R.U.C. team to win the Irish Intermediate cup in 1979 and again the following year when they retained the trophy.Gardner retired from the police in 2001.