01/11/2025
At our Senior Presentation, we had the absolute privilege of recognising someone who has been part of the fabric, the heartbeat, and the driving force of Port Saints Football Club for almost three decades — the one and only Dan Gardner.
Dan’s story with Port Saints began way back when he pulled on the Saints jersey as an Under 7. Apart from a brief dalliance across the road in Under 9s and 10s — which we won’t mention again — he’s been a Saint through and through ever since.
Nearly 30 years later, Dan has done it all. He’s been a player, a coach, a committee member, and has been our current President for the past 3 years— and he’s done each of those roles with passion, dedication, and a deep love for this club.
As a player, Dan gave us one of the greatest moments in Saints history — that banging header that sealed our first ever First Grade final win in 2015. It’s the kind of goal that legends are made of — and Dan has been building his legend ever since.
He’s also spent years shaping the next generation of Saints, coaching the current Under 14 Tigers since they were tiny Under 6s. That’s almost a decade of commitment — week in, week out — helping those kids grow not just as players, but as people.
And if that wasn’t enough, Dan has poured his heart and soul into leading this club. From the tough years — when we were getting flogged every week — to now, where under his leadership we’ve reached grand final glory two years running and even claimed this year’s Regional Super League win.
Dan has brought his whole family into the Saints family too — and that sense of community, of togetherness, is what he embodies every single day.
Dan, you are the beating heart of Port Saints Football Club. Your energy, your vision, and your commitment have helped shape this club into what it is today — strong, successful, and growing every year.
It is with enormous pride and gratitude that we recognise everything you’ve done, everything you continue to do, and the example you set for all of us — both on and off the field.
On behalf of everyone at Port Saints Football Club — thank you, Dan Gardner, and congratulations on your well-deserved Life Membership.