Gareth Wardlaw (born 7 March 1979) is a Scottish former footballer, who retired after last playing for Hill of Beath Hawthorn in the Scottish Junior Football Association, East Region. He previously played in the Scottish Premier League for St Mirren. He also played for Ayr United, Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath and East Fife.
 Wardlaw playing for St Mirren | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gareth Wardlaw | ||
| Date of birth | 7 March 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Kirkcaldy, Scotland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2008 | Ayr United | 92 | (24) |
| 2008–2009 | Raith Rovers | 20 | (2) |
| 2009–2010 | Cowdenbeath | 31 | (16) |
| 2010–2011 | St Mirren | 23 | (3) |
| 2011–2012 | Ayr United | 25 | (2) |
| 2012–2013 | East Fife | 15 | (4) |
| 2013–2014 | Hill of Beath Hawthorn | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:10, 29 July 2014 (UTC) | |||
Career
editAfter many years in amateur and Junior football, Wardlaw started his senior career at Ayr United in 2004, signing from Burntisland Shipyard.[1] He made 111 appearances and scored 28 goals for the club in all competitions. Wardlaw signed for his hometown club Raith Rovers on 29 May 2008.[2] Wardlaw started the season well but then suffered a horrific injury in a game against East Fife.[3] After returning from injury Wardlaw struggled to get a place in the starting line-up, and ended up making only 13 appearances, scoring only 2 goals, eventually being released at the end of the 2008–09 season.
Following his departure from Raith Rovers, Wardlaw signed on at their neighbours Cowdenbeath[4] and was a regular starter in the line-up that season making 38 appearances and scoring 19 goals in all competitions.
In July 2010, St Mirren agreed a deal with Cowdenbeath to sign Wardlaw after agreeing compensation of around £45,000.[5] Wardlaw followed manager Danny Lennon in signing for the Paisley club from Cowdenbeath. This meant he became a full-time professional for the first time at the age of 31 when he signed for St Mirren, giving up a career as a postman.[6] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat against Motherwell on 2 October 2010[7] and his second, again against Motherwell on 20 November 2010.[8] His goal against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on 10 May gave St Mirren a 1–0 victory, which not only kept the club in the SPL, but gave them their first victory away against Aberdeen since 1987.[9] He was released by the club at the end of the 2010–11 season.[10]
On 28 June 2011, Wardlaw re-joined Ayr United.[11] He was released by Ayr on 29 April 2008.[12] On 9 June 2012, Wardlaw signed for East Fife.[13][14]
Wardlaw joined Junior side Hill of Beath Hawthorn in June 2013.[15] In the summer of 2014, Wardlaw retired from football.[16]
References
edit- ^ "Ayr chance for amateur midfielder". BBC Sport. 11 November 2004. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ Striker Signs
- ^ Dailyrecord.co.uk (18 September 2008). "Back in business". Daily Record. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "Striker Wardlaw joins Cowdenbeath". BBC Sport. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ Danny Lennon wins war of words for Gareth Wardlaw
- ^ Thomson, Robert (14 November 2010). "Former postman Gareth Wardlaw finding the going tough after turning full-time at age of 31". Scotland on Sunday. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
- ^ "Motherwell 3-1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "St Mirren 1-1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "Relieved Lennon delighted to secure survival". STV Sport. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "St Mirren allow 10 to leave club". BBC Sport. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ Lamont, Michael (28 June 2011). "Wardlaw returns to Somerset Park". Ayr United F.C. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ McConnell, Stewart (29 April 2008). "BREAKING NEWS: Eight Ayr United players released". Ayr Advertiser. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "GARETH WARDLAW SIGNS FOR EAST FIFE". East Fife F.C. 9 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
- ^ "Scottish Division Two ins and outs". BBC Sport. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ "Wardlaw heads for Hill o' Beath". Scottish Junior Football Association. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Clubs can make an impact at all levels this coming season". Central Fife Times & Advertiser. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
External links
edit- Gareth Wardlaw at Soccerbase
