“Boy Wonder grows into a Reggae Captain"!

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 thoughts while I watched him work his magic for the first time at the Harbour View community "Mini-League" competition.  I ask our then Under 14 coach, Ludlow Bernard. Who is this "Bibi"?.  "Clyde, he is the future, he is good" Ludlow replied.

After playing and dominating for a few years he was now in the U14 Club programme. It was fun watching him conquer the various levels starting with the Pepsi Under 14 High School competition at Wolmer’s Boys.

He 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 with "Bibi" predictably taking the "Most Valuable Player" (MVP) trophy. 

Later in 1994, he won the Manning Cup and Oliver Shield, the mark of football supremacy in High School football in Jamaica.

The Senior Team calls: As if ordained to be in the right place at the right time, his career was graced with perfect timing. The Caribbean Major League Football (CMLF) League 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 National Premier League.

Truly exhibiting the potential to excel in 1995, he was the guiding light as Harbour View took the Jackie Bell Knockout as well as the islandwide Jamaica National Building Society 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 trust towards qualifying for the 1998 World Cup. Coach Rene Simoes came knocking and "Bibi" answered the call to ironically replace another Harbour View leftback, Gregory Messam, in the Club and at the National team.  In a speedy march to stardom, the 1997 Jamaica’s National team is voted "FIFA Best Mover" and popularises the new nickname "The Reggae Boyz".

The 1998 World Cup in France made "Bibi" at age nineteen, the baby of the team. Undaunted, he stamped his class on the proceedings. With the halftime approaching, "Bibi" surged forward down his favoured left flank. He crossed perfectly into the path of the arriving midfielder, Robbie Earle who heads past the Croatian custodian to equalise, 1-1.

There is a hush from the Croatians. The entire "Reggae Boyz" fans in the stands erupted in euphoria as flags waved furiously. Shouts, hugs, cheers, music blasted and the "Ouch Girls" profiled as smiles adorned faces worldwide ­ except in Croatia.

The Reggae Boyz arrived and "Bibi" led the charge. Bolton Wanderers comes calling!

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

"Ricardo ran the full length of the pitch from, one box to the next. When he produces crosses like that, with his natural talent, given sometime he will be an asset," Todd revealed to me on that historic day, June 30,1998. He was the snapped up

Bolton Wanderers for ---------------------

His Bolton ambitions to progress to the Premiership failed in its first attempt losing to Watford in the playoffs at Wembley in 1999. As the millennium changed, so too their fortunes. They made the quantum leap the following year. They established steady presence at the top before improving in position and statue 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 stating "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 4 years time to captain Jamaica to the World Cup Finals!".

Bolton Wanderers Coach, Sam Allerdyce says "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.".

Injury has ruled Ricardo out of this game against England, but he will rise again to lead the Boys in the future.

We salute you Captain, Ricardo "Bibi" Gardner.