Eastwood Town loan Scott Gardner
Ex Leeds United full back Scott Gardner has joined Eastwood Town on loan for a month. 21 year old Scott joined us last year in February after Leeds United terminated his contract so he could look for first team football.
Despite being here for almost a year Scott has only made 12 appearances for us. He made 3 or 4 appearances last season at right back, left back and right wing but had a few injuries that kept him out the side. At the end of last season he signed a new contract which would keep him at Field Mill until the end of the 09/10 season.
Scott started the 09/10 season as the first choice right back, this was evident as he was given the number 2 shirt over player of the year Gary Silk. He started the first two games against Crawley and Luton. But he managed to get himself sent off in the game against Luton for a reckless challenge on Andy Burgess, who is now playing for us.
Gary Silk then slotted back in at right back and hasn’t been dislodged since. Scott has managed to make the bench a fair bit before Christmas but the last 2 months or so I haven’t heard his name mentioned at all. I was wondering if he had been released!
Scott is more than capable of playing at this level, possibly even the level above. He is a very, very good player but has been really unlucky here. Silk is in the form of his life and Scott has no chance of dislodging him. I was hoping we would get a chance to see him play on the right wing because he is a very quick and is great on the ball but DH clearly doesn’t see him as a winger, despite it being his favoured position.
This is an excellent signing for Eastwood and it wouldn’t surprise me if Scott managed to secure himself a deal with a Blue Square Premier side next season, that is if Eastwood don’t manage to get promoted themselves. They are currently sitting 6th in the Blue Square North table. For the time being though he will partner up with ex Stags captain Jon D’laryea, who joined Eastwood last week from Northwich for a fee which is rumoured to be around 10k. Stags are still owned money from Northwich after they failed to pay Jons wages whilst he was on loan at the club.
Picture: Richard Parkes/MansfieldTown.net
