Pat Gardner´s contributions to clubs like Dunfermline Athletic, Dundee United, and Motherwell were invaluable, and his knack for scoring crucial goals made him an asset to every team he played for.
PART ONE
Pat Gardner started at Dumfries club Queen of the South, a side well known for nurturing talent and offering opportunities to players with potential. Managed by the legendary George Farm—who, besides being a fine goalkeeper in his playing days with Hibernian, Blackpool, and, indeed, Queen of the South, was a shrewd tactician—Gardner found himself in an environment conducive to development. Playing in the top division at the time, he soon adapted to the demands of senior soccer, and his performances didn´t go unnoticed.
However, like many young players seeking to carve out a lasting career, he needed to move on to establish himself further. Thus, after two seasons in Dumfries, he took his next step—a brief stint at Airdrieonians, a club with a great reputation for being a valuable stepping stone for ambitious footballers.
After his comparatively short stay at Airdrie, Gardner was re-united with former Queen of South boss George Farm at Raith Rovers, where he would spend three years developing his craft. In an era when Scottish football was fiercely competitive, Raith Rovers provided Gardner with the platform to showcase his abilities as a clinical finisher and his three-year-spell at Stark’s Park laid the groundwork for what was to come next—a transfer move which would define his active career and earn him a place in Scottish football folklore.
In 1967, Dunfermline Athletic, now led by none other than George Farm, came calling with a then-significant fee of £17,000—a sum that underlined the faith the East End Park club had in his abilities. And they were absolutely right to invest in him as he instantly repaid that faith, playing a key role in the 1967-68 term.
Few can claim to have had such a defining role in a Scottish Fa Cup Final as Gardner did on April 27, 1968, when his second-half brace helped The Pars to a famous 3-1 triumph against Heart of Midlothian at Hampden Park, a victory that was as emphatic as it was deserved, though not without its moments of drama. Hearts, undoubtedly the stronger side in the first half of the match, dominated possession and applied pressure on the Dunfermline defence, yet their inability to convert this territorial advantage into goals left the door open for a second-half revival, and, as it turned out, Farmer´s men were more than willing to march right through it.
Dunfermline’s attacking intent following the half-time refreshments was immediately evident, and when Gardner struck in the 56th minute of play, the tide had well and truly turned. And only three minutes later, former Raith Rovers winger Ian Lister doubled Dunfermline’s advantage from the penalty spot after Scotland goalkeeper Jim Cruickshank had hauled down Alex Paton, and although Hearts momentarily clawed their way back into the contest through a John Lunn own goal, any hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished when Gardner pounced once more in the 73rd minute, calmly dispatching a finish that ensured the cup would be heading to East End Park. In contrast to Hearts’ profligacy, Gardner’s clinical finishing proved the ultimate difference, underlining that, while possession and pressure might win admiration, it´s goals that win games.
The following season, Dunfermline embarked on a European adventure in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and once again, Gardner proved his worth to the club. Dunfermline’s continental adventure began with a confident dismissal of Apoel FC from Cyprus, a tie that proved little more than a formality. However, the real test came against Olympiacos Piraeus, a talented side brimming with Mediterranean flair and determined to impose themselves. Nevertheless, Dunfermline, with Gardner and his teammates displaying a blend of grit and guile, surged forward and dispatched the Greek outfit with an impressive show of attacking football.
The quarter-final brought a clash against the might of West Bromwich Albion, the reigning FA Cup holders, who arrived with a reputation to uphold. Yet, Dunfermline defied expectations, overcoming West Bromwich by 1-0 on aggregate through a goal from Gardner in the second leg at The Hawthorns. And as the semi-finals loomed, they found themselves up against Slovan Bratislava, a formidable opponent with European pedigree. The Scots fought valiantly, but ultimately, despite their best efforts, they fell short, losing 2-1 on aggregate.
PART TWO
When Jim McLean took the managerial reins at Dundee United in December 1971, not many people could have foreseen the seismic shift he would engineer in the club’s fortunes, yet one of his first moves was to bring in Pat Gardner from Dunfermline for a fee of £6,500 in January 1972. Moreover, Gardner’s presence provided Dundee United with a composed and reliable option in attack, and while he may not have been the most prolific striker of his generation, he was certainly one of the most dependable, contributing crucial goals and invaluable assists for his team-mates as McLean sought to mould a side capable of challenging Scotland’s elite
Gardner´s time with Dundde United saw him once again reach a cup final—this time, the 1974 Scottish Cup Final against Jock Stein´s Celtic. However, unlike his previous cup final experience with Dunfermline, this time the seasoned campaigner found himself on the losing side as The Tangerines succumbed to a disappointing 3–0 defeat against The Bhoys. Nevertheless, his contributions to the Tannadice Park team during this transitional period were vital, helping to lay the foundations for the club´s success in later years.
Following his spell at Dundee United, Gardner moved to Motherwell in October 1974 for a transfer fee of around £12,000. While the Fir Park club wasn’t among the heavyweights of Scottish football, they had ambition, and he played a vital role in helping them secure a place in the newly formed Scottish Premier Division.
However, time waits for no footballer, and Gardner´s days at the highest level were drawing to a close. Seeking one last challenge, he teamed up with Arbroath, a club that, while not among Scotland’s elite, provided him with a place to wind down his career. By 1977, he had hung up his boots, bringing an end to a journey that had spanned over a decade and had seen him achieve memorable feats across multiple clubs.