Barry Gardner Interview (16/06/08)

Interview by Matt Harris

When Barry Gardner joined Tunbridge Wells, he not only offered the club a wealth of experience from playing at a higher level, but also represented one of Mike Robbins’ first longer-term signings after taking over as manager at the club. Since linking up at Culverden, Gardner has fitted comfortably into a spirited and settled side that is now looking to mount an assault on the upper reaches of the Kent League table.

“I was at Ashford at the start of last season - competing for a first team spot,” Gardner reflected during an interview with www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk. “Things didn’t work out at Homelands this time around, for reasons that had nothing to do with my playing ability. After leaving Ashford, I had a choice to join either Hastings Town or Tunbridge Wells.

“I actually had a few sessions training with Hastings while at the same time being in contact with Mike Robbins. Hastings made me an offer, but even though it meant stepping down a level, in the end I decided to join The Wells. As a player I primarily want to be playing, and enjoying my football - and Tunbridge Wells offered me the best chance of doing that.”

Upon Gardner’s arrival, The Wells enjoyed a 5-1 win at Holmesdale, before going through the wringers over Christmas and the New Year with a dismal run of results, but the midfielder explains that at that time he still had no doubts that he had made the right decision to come to Culverden. “When I joined, it wasn’t the best of starts for us - but I should stress that I didn’t once think, ‘what have I done joining this club?’

“Obviously the fact that I knew a few of the players from my time at Ashford helped - and a combination of learning from them and seeing the team in training was enough to assure me that despite what was happening on the pitch at that time, there was a good standard of player at the club, and things would turn around eventually.”

What happened next regarding the upturn in fortunes of the club is now history - but given that Gardner was one of the first ‘bigger name’ signings brought in by Mike Robbins, what exactly did he bring to the side?

“I would like to think that during my time so far at Culverden, I’ve added some stability within in the team - I’d like to think I bring width out on the wing and that I’ve also weighed in with some important goals and made some decent goal-scoring opportunities for my team mates through my crossing and vision.

And Gardner has some general observations about the way the side melded together during the latter part of last season. “I also think the squad became a strong unit and showed some great togetherness. We want to win each week - not only for ourselves, but for everyone wearing the shirt, and personally, I think that’s why we became a hard team to beat towards the end of the season.

“Obviously, as a player, winning things during your career is a bonus - like I said earlier, first and foremost I am looking to enjoy playing the game,” he remarks.

However, if that previous comment sounds like Gardner lacks ambition, think again. He’s very clear that he’s not just at Culverden to meander aimlessly through his career. “If I thought that this club was happy to be a team floating around the bottom half of the table, with no ambition whatsoever, then I wouldn’t want to be a part of it,” he explains. “But while Mike Robbins and Martin Larkin are in charge, failure to achieve is not an option. As a matter of fact, I think this coming year could be a good one for The Wells, in terms of trophies.”

Indeed, preparations are now underway for the coming year - and pre-season training has already started. So how will Barry Gardner be preparing for the big kick-off in August?

“During pre-season, I hope to work on my fitness mostly. The manager might have other ideas, but I don’t think I need to work on a lot more at this time, in all honesty. The tough list of pre-season games we have coming up will allow me plenty of opportunity to work on other key aspects of my game such as corners and free kicks, and also my first touch.”

So with Gardner committed to the cause for another season, an important part of the side remains in place to help keep the club moving in the right direction. And with other integral players seeming to be equally committed for the next year, the club's supporters can be confident that preparations continue for the new season built on an established base.