 Gardiner began his career as an apprentice with Swindon Town, making his league debut while still an apprentice in a 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town at the County Ground in April 1984.He turned professional in September 1984, making 10 league appearances, scoring 1 goal for the Robins.He joined Torquay United on a free transfer in February 1987 (as part of the deal taking Phil King to Swindon_ and was plunged straight into the relegation battle, which would eventually see Torquay survive on the last day of the season and Lincoln City relegated to the Conference.