Testimonial next up for stalwart

3 Dec 2016 By David Watters

Tiverton Town's Tom Gardner is looking forward to a testimonial in 2017 after making his five hundredth appearance for the EVO-STIK League Southern club on Saturday.

Signed by manager Martyn Rogers from Exmouth back in 2005, the long-serving centre-half, pictured, reached the milestone at Ladysmead in his side's EVO-STIK League Southern Division One South & West clash with Wimbourne Town.

Tiverton Town spokesman Jay Richardson said: "The ever popular lad from Devon has put his body on the line for the club over the last eleven seasons. A testimonial against Plymouth Argyle's first team date to be arranged in the new year will be a fitting tribute to the Tivvy player.

"Tom has mainly played in defence but he has also donned the gloves when required. The word legend is bandied about far to regularly but it sums up Tom Gardner perfectly. From us all at Tiverton Town Football club we salute Tom Gardner."

Apart from a brief spell at Truro City, the versatile defender also also played in Australia, helping the White Tigers to win the Western League title in 2008. He passed his 300 games milestone in 2012.

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