Cast back to World Cup 1998, Jamaica and the world watched with awe as a young and enthusiastic 18-year-old stunned us with his sharp, prolific, football skills during the Reggae Boyz outing against Japan.
Then the youngest member of the team, Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardener, was quickly swooped up by scouts and for the last 15 years, he has played for Bolton Wanderer’s Football Club in England. However, he has recently hung up his boots and returned home.
An international star, Gardner has never allowed football to stand in the way of his relationship with his children Shiloh-Marley, 3; Che-Daniel, 7; and Rican,16. If anything, the three have had the constant love and guidance of their father, despite the distance, which at one point or another may have come between them.
You won’t find too many men who can handle the bedside drama, which is involved in the birth of their child. Gardner not only witnessed the birth of all three of his children but, also cut their umbilical cords.
It’s a memory the young father will never forget.“The best memory for me was seeing the birth of my children just watching them grow and being able to share my knowledge with them. That just leaves you in awe,” said the proud father who confesses the word “Dada”, still remain music to his ears.
“The most difficult moment was not being there on a day to day basis. I think it is so important to be there,” said Gardener.
As a result, holidays became sacred for the father and daughter and no sooner had the school doors closed, Rican would be on the next flight out to be with daddy.
To continue reading , purchase Vol. 7 #10 2015 issue
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Cast back to World Cup 1998, Jamaica and the world watched with awe as a young and enthusiastic 18-year-old stunned us with his sharp, prolific, football skills during the Reggae Boyz outing against Japan.
Then the youngest member of the team, Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardener, was quickly swooped up by scouts and for the last 15 years, he has played for Bolton Wanderer’s Football Club in England. However, he has recently hung up his boots and returned home.
An international star, Gardner has never allowed football to stand in the way of his relationship with his children Shiloh-Marley, 3; Che-Daniel, 7; and Rican,16. If anything, the three have had the constant love and guidance of their father, despite the distance, which at one point or another may have come between them.
You won’t find too many men who can handle the bedside drama, which is involved in the birth of their child. Gardner not only witnessed the birth of all three of his children but, also cut their umbilical cords.
It’s a memory the young father will never forget.“The best memory for me was seeing the birth of my children just watching them grow and being able to share my knowledge with them. That just leaves you in awe,” said the proud father who confesses the word “Dada”, still remain music to his ears.
“The most difficult moment was not being there on a day to day basis. I think it is so important to be there,” said Gardener.
As a result, holidays became sacred for the father and daughter and no sooner had the school doors closed, Rican would be on the next flight out to be with daddy.
To continue reading , purchase Vol. 7 #10 2015 issue
Share this post: