WHEN he’s getting his boots from a goalscorer like Reading’s Adam Le Fondre then it is little wonder Dan Gardner is making a big impact.
But it’s not just what the FC Halifax attacker is wearing on his feet that is earning him rave reviews.
The 22-year-old has put the knee injury that ruled him out for the first four-and-a-half months of the season behind him to show exactly why Shaymen boss Neil Aspin was so keen to get his signature in the summer.
As Halifax play catch-up on their Blue Square Bet North games – they were beset by postponements earlier in the season as well as a run to the FA Trophy quarter-finals – Gardner has flourished.
Playing in behind the front two he’s set to star in their charge into the play-off places with his ability to create chances and chip in with goals of his own.
And the last two of his six so far came with the tools that mate and Premier League hotshot Le Fondre (pictured below) sorted him out with.
“They aren’t actually his boots, he is a bit small isn’t he?” Gardner says. “Alfie’s a top lad – he’s a mate through another mate – I’m going to his wedding this summer.
“He sorted a pair of boots out for me. The first game I wore them I scored against Hinckley and then again against Solihull Moors last weekend. I suppose I should keep wearing them!
Fear
“He’s a perfect example to all footballers. He’s one I’ve always said who deserves his success the most. When he was at Stockport he scored goals for fun, then again at Rochdale and Rotherham.
Wherever he’s been he’s scored goals and eventually he got his move to Reading.
“Now he’s scoring goals in the Premier League. There is no one that I see who deserves it more than him. He’s always been a hard worker and is always wanting to get better and better.
“I take a lot from Adam Le Fondre definitely. I admire what he’s done at all levels.”
Having scored 17 goals from Droylsden’s midfield last season Aspin wasn’t the only one interested in Gardner’s services.
BSB North title winner Gary Lowe, who led Hyde to the BSB Premier last season before leaving Ewen Fields, picked the former Crewe man out as a player to watch in 2012-13 in these very pages.
But in his first pre-season game against Stockport County he suffered a knee injury that was to stop him in his tracks.
“The doctor thought I’d totally done my cruciate at first and then we found out it was a tear – but it was a bad one,” he says. “I had to have an operation so I was out for five-and-a-half months.
“It killed me; it depresses you to be honest. I watched a lot of football, but I just wanted to be out there playing.
“After my operation I did worry that it would never be the same. At first there was a bit of fear and I was scared to go into tackles. Even in training I would stay away from people – it does mess your head up. But once you get back into it properly it’s fine and now I don’t feel like I was ever injured.”
Gardner’s path to this point has taken him from the college fields, to one of Scotland’s biggest clubs in Celtic and back south of the border with a brief stop at Crewe before joining Droylsden.
“I was at Mancat College in Manchester and playing for the team on a Wednesday,” Gardner says. “One of the coaches there knew a lot of people so he got someone to come and watch me.
Freedom
“Then I got a couple of trials up in Scotland. One was at Hearts and they wanted to sign me but Celtic were interested as well.
“I went to play for them against Rangers. It was unbelievable. There were loads and loads of fans there even though it was an Under-19s game, the rivalry was incredible.
“It was a hard game but I felt like I had nothing to lose. It finished 0-0, I hit the bar twice and did really well. After the game I went to Rangers because they wanted me then but in the end I chose Celtic.
“I stayed there for a year and loved it. I met some class people and great footballers. James Forrest was in my team and now he’s in the first team and playing in the Champions League.
“I played a few reserve games but in the second season the reserve league was scrapped, a few of the players were released and unfortunately I was one .”
He credits Droylsden owner-manager Dave Pace for giving him the freedom and confidence in his second season at the Bloods to play his own game that allowed him to really thrive.
Now he’s targeting the Blue Square Bet Premier with Halifax and giving the Shay faithful even more to cheer about at the end of their fifth season since forming from the ashes of Halifax Town in 2008.
Gardner says: “We’ve got a mixed bunch of young lads and experienced players like Gareth Seddon, Danny Lowe the captain and our midfielder Jon Worthington.
“I travel in with Sedds and he’s always got lots of good advice for me. And stories – he has a new one every day!
“It’s a good place to be. Everyone is positive and even though there’s a way to go we’re doing well. But we also know we can do a lot better too. Hopefully we’ll get in the play-offs and win them.”
