Gardiner spent just nine months at City between February and October 1934, moving from Hearts and making 18 league appearances. His career with the Foxes started in emphatic fashion when he scored a remarkable four goals in an away clash at Portsmouth.

Two games later he also netted a hat-trick against Arsenal on home soil to complete his flying start to life at the club, and make him an instant hit with supporters. He also played in City's first-ever FA Cup final.

His goals to games ratio was impressive, netting eleven times in those 19 appearances in league and cup, but he somehow fell out of favour with manager Arthur Lochhead in time for the start of the next season and he was moved on, Wrexham moving in to secure his services. Mirroring his start to life with Leicester, the striker netted a hat-trick in his debut for the Welsh club but didn't enjoy the same success in front of goal thereafter.

He was transfer listed with Wrexham and moved on to Hamilton Academical's before having trials with Olympique Lillois. He finished his career back in his homeland of Scotland with Inverness Thistle. Off-the-field, he was in trouble with the law before, during and after his footballing career.