Scott Gardner

Scott Andrew Gardner (born 1 April 1988) is an English former footballer and current coach of Leeds United's under-21s.^[2] He most recently played for Conference National side Mansfield Town, where he played as a defender.

Scott Gardner

Personal information
Full name	Scott Andrew Gardner[1]
Date of birth	(1988-04-01) 1 April 1988 (age 37)
Place of birth	Luxembourg
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Leeds United (under 21's manager)
Youth career
0000–2006	Leeds United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2009	Leeds United	1	(0)
2008	→ Farsley Celtic (loan)	3	(0)
2008	→ Farsley Celtic (loan)	3	(0)
2009–2010	Mansfield Town	12	(0)
2010	→ Eastwood Town (loan)	7	(0)
International career‡
2003	England U16	1	(0)
2004	England U17
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 7 January 2010 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 19 November 2008

He has previously played for England at under-16 and under-17 level.

Playing career

Leeds United

A product of the Leeds United academy, Gardner signed his first professional contract with the club in 2006, then later penned a one-year extension on 19 June 2007.^[3] Previously a regular in the Leeds United reserve side, Gardner was involved with the first-team during the 2007–08 pre-season, including playing in a home friendly against Wigan Athletic. Although naturally a right-winger, Gardner played as a right-back during his time at Elland Road.^[4]

He made his full debut for Leeds on 14 August 2007 in a 1–0 win against Macclesfield Town in the League Cup.

Farsley Celtic (loan)

On 22 January 2008, Gardner signed a one-month loan deal with Conference National side Farsley Celtic, who are also based in Leeds.^[5] Gardner returned from his loan spell in late February 2008. He made an impressive league debut for Leeds in the 2–1 win over Gillingham in May, a game which relegated the Gills.^[6]

Farsley Celtic (2nd loan)

On 19 September 2008, Gardner re-joined Farsley Celtic, now in the Conference North, on a one-month loan, playing in three games.^[7][8]

Mansfield Town

On 30 January 2009, Gardner's contract at Leeds United was terminated by mutual consent.^[9] Three days later, on 2 February 2009, Gardner signed for Conference National club Mansfield Town until the end of the 2008–09 season along with defender Gianluca Havern.^[10] On 16 March 2009, Gardner signed an extension to his Mansfield contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2009–10 season.^[11]

Coaching career

He currently coaches Leeds United's Under 21s Team,^[12] having formally been a coach of the team's U18 side.^[13] He was promoted to the U21 team first on a temporary basis when Michael Skubala was hired by Lincoln City in November 2023.^[14] Gardner was given the U21 managerial role full time with former England international Stewart Downing joining as assistant manager in January 2024.