Jacob Gabriel Gardiner-Smith (born 3 July 1997) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Southern Football League side Sholing.
Early and personal life Born in Cambridge, he is the grandson of Scottish footballer John Gardiner and the son of politician Barry Gardiner. He is fluent in Russian.
Career He began his career with Russian sides CSKA Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg. After two years, he returned to England to sign for St Albans City, moving on to Hendon on dual-registration in January 2019. He turned professional with Wycombe Wanderers in July 2019. He made his senior debut on 8 October 2019, in the EFL Trophy. On 24 December 2019, he moved on a three-month long loan to Braintree Town.
Gardiner-Smith was released by Wycombe Wanderers at the end of the 2019–20 season. He signed for Hemel Hempstead Town in January 2022. In August 2022, Gardiner-Smith was playing for National League South side Cheshunt.
After a spell with Kings Langley Gardiner-Smith signed for Southern Football League side Hanwell Town in January 2023. He joined Beaconsfield Town ahead of the 2023–24 campaign, before signing for league rivals Hungerford Town in January 2024.
In August 2024, Gardiner-Smith joined Southern League Premier Division South side Sholing. He made nine league appearances before suffering a potentially career-ending injury which brought his season to an end in October 2024.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSt Albans City 2018–19National League South1000—1Appearances in the FA Trophy020Hendon (dual-reg.) 2018–19Southern League Premier Division South160———160Wycombe Wanderers 2019–20League One0000003Appearances in the EFL Trophy030Braintree Town (loan) 2019–20National League South130———130Hemel Hempstead Town 2021–22National League South160———160Cheshunt 2022–23National League South4000——40Kings Langley 2022–23Southern League Premier Division Central150——30180Hanwell Town 2022–23Southern League Premier Division South80———80Beaconsfield Town 2023–24Southern League Premier Division South21000—30240Hungerford Town 2023–24Southern League Premier Division South90———90Career total103000001001130
References