Hyacinth 'Iya' Archibald's world was uplifted, when on September 25, 1978, her last child (in Jamaican patois called 'wash-belly') Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner was born.
Blessed with many boyhood friends on the streets of Driftwood Drive in the Harbour View community, Ricardo was nicknamed 'Bibi' very early in life by his brothers.

Immediate impact!
"Impressive, really impressive," was my thought as I watched him work his magic for the first time at the Harbour View community 'Mini-League' competition. I asked our then Under-14 coach Ludlow Bernard who this 'Bibi' was?

Reggae Boyz captain Ricardo Gardener in action for Bolton Wanderers. Inset: Gardener and club manager Sam Allerdyce at the end of a game.

"Clyde, he is the future, he is good," Ludlow replied.
After playing and dominating for a few years he now would be in the Under-14 club programme.

He would conquer various levels of football starting with the Pepsi Under-14 High School Competition for Wolmer's Boys. He also won the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) age-group competitions. Amongst his teammates were Khareem 'Niche' Cooke, Kirk 'Scarry' Williams, Jermaine 'Jerry' Hue, and captain Omar 'Speedy' Allwood.

They waltzed undefeated through the contests, while 'Bibi' won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophies.
Later, in 1994, he also won the Manning Cup and Olivier Shield, the mark of football supremacy in high schools in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

The senior team calls

As if ordained to be in the right place at the right time, his career was seemingly graced with perfect timing throughout. The Caribbean Major League Football (CMLF) was launched in 1994. Harbour View entered against a group of national teams disguised as clubs. A 5,000-seater football specific stadium was built to host our home games at night. That catalyst generated a spirit of excellence within the club and the ambitions to participate at an international standard.

Harbour View immediately won the 1994-95 KSAFA Major League to return to the islandwide Premier League in the 1995-96 season.
Truly exhibiting the potential to excel in 1995, Gardner quickly won the Jackie Bell Knockout, as well as the islandwide Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Federation Cup Knockout.
As he grew, he replaced his elder brother Roger 'Juppsie' Bancroft in the team at the leftback position.

The Brazilians arrive, the world awaits

Perfect timing once again smiled on him. The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) launched its drive towards qualifying for the 1998 World Cup. Coach Rene Simoes came knocking and 'Bibi' answered the call to replace another Harbour View leftback, Gregory Messam (whose place he had filled in the club), on the national team.

In a march to stardom, the 1997 Jamaica national team was voted 'FIFA Best Movers' and popularised the new name 'The Reggae Boyz'.
The 1998 World Cup in France saw 'Bibi', at age 19, the baby of the team. Undaunted, he stamped his class on the proceedings in the match against Croatia.

Seizing the moment with half-time approaching, 'Bibi' surges forward down his favoured left flank, then crosses the ball perfectly into the path of the arriving midfielder, Robbie Earle, who strikes a header past the Croatian custodian to equalise at 1-1.

There is a hush from the Croatians. The entire 'Reggae Boyz' fans in the stands erupt, flags are waved furiously, there are shouts, hugs, cheers, music blasting, the 'Ouch Girls' profiled and smiles adorning faces worldwide. The Reggae Boyz had arrived, with 'Bibi' leading the charge.

Bolton Wanderers come calling!

Colin Todd's interest was peaked when he watched that first game, 'Bibi' caught his eye and he made enquiries through British football agent Phil Graham.

"Ricardo runs the full length of the pitch from one box to the next. When he produces crosses like that, with his natural talent, given some time he will be an asset," he revealed to me on that historic day, June 30, 1998.

Ricardo's wish to see Bolton progress to the Premiership failed when the club lost to Watford in the play-offs at Wembley in 1999. Bolton, however, made the quantum leap the following year 2000. They would establish a steady presence at the top in England before improving in position and stature to emerge for the first time ever in 2005-06, in the UEFA Cup.

Agent Phllip Graham, of Phillip Graham Sports Management is quoted as saying: "I first saw Ricardo play football in 1997 and watched his progress leading up to the World Cup in 1998. Ricardo has been a great ambassador for Jamaican football.

Being the first high profile player to come over to play in England, his attitude and professionalism would make a real difference for as many as 20 other players coming to England from Jamaica. Let's hope that he gets a chance in four years' time to captain Jamaica to the World Cup Finals!"

Bolton Wanderers' coach Sam Allerdyce said: "Ricardo is a talented professional, who has made great strides in the Premiership. He is one of the best left-sided players in the country.

"His current form has been excellent and I would go as far to say that he has been our most consistent player this season. He is the best footballing export from Jamaica and it is a just reward that he has been given the captaincy of the national team. His ability to attack is his most lethal weapon, but he is also strong in the tackle and has learnt a great deal about his awareness around the pitch.

"It is a pleasure to coach someone who is very talented, but also willing to improve his game and continue to learn."
Now a fully developed professional, Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner will again lead them.

We salute you captain, Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World