Frank Gardner RIP

Brakes historian Paul Vane writes:

FRANK LESLIE GARDNER

Born 2nd April 1922 died 20th April 2013
Frank lived in Clarence Street, a stones throw from Flavel’s factory and played for the local school team at an early age and when his parents died, moved to a flat in Clarendon Square where he lived for 40 years before making the trip to the Huntley Lodge care home in Northumberland Road in 2007.

Frank followed in his father’s footsteps as Phillip senior played on the left wing for Leamington Town around 1910 making and scoring plenty of goals, his brother Phillip junior also was a footballer with both joining Lockheed-Leamington Football Club. Phillip was a wing half but Frank was a goal scoring centre forward who along with many of his generation lost a huge chunk of his footballing life during the Second World War.

The brothers were playing regularly just after the war ended for Saltisford Rovers and upon Brakes joining the Central Amateur League in 1947/48, Lockheed achieved senior status with Frank and Phillip coming aboard and the following season collected the League cup against Ibstock Penistone Rovers at Boldmere with the game’s only goal coming from Frank along with the Whitnash Charity cup. Lockheed again sought new pastures by joining the Birmingham Combination which was a huge leap and the club soon realised an amateur side would have no chance in his highly competitive semi-professional league. The inaugural game was at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers “A” side and Frank was picked to play. Player/manager Les Latham was drafted in and the Brakes began to grind out some results.

In 1950/51, the Brakes embarked on a Birmingham Senior cup campaign defeating Tamworth after a replay, Rugby Town, Redditch after another replay then Bedworth in the semi final in order to meet Hereford United Reserves in the final at Manor Park which ended in a 2-2 draw. Both sides agreed to toss a coin for choice of venue and Lockheed called correctly so 3,500 fans were inside the Windmill Ground to see the replay with Frank lining up at outside right as the Brakes won by three goals to one to receive the highest honour that had come their way.  At one stage, Lockheed had four Gardners’ on their books, Frank and Phillip, Eric who was no relation and Freddie the Warwickshire opening batsman.

I went across to meet Frank about four years ago at the care home on behalf of the club who invited him to be a guest at a match of his choice in the near future and as part of the afternoon, he would be introduced to the crowd during the interval but sadly the day before the match, he was taken ill and I believe entered hospital. Frank, who never married, is the last member of his family and I hope anyone who is free on Thursday afternoon, can attend his funeral at Oakley Wood Crematorium, North Chapel  at 4pm. Frank’s other passion was bowls and became a life member of the Avenue Bowls club.

Sadly when moving to the care home, he lost contact with many friends. Refreshments can be had after the service at the Avenue Bowls club in Avenue Road., Leamington.

On behalf of all Brakes Trust members and Leamington FC supporters, our sincere condolences and grateful thanks go to Sandra, Chris and Family who were Frank’s guiding light in his later years.

Rest in Peace, Frank