Quick Facts
Biography
Leonard James Gardner (1927 – 1990) was an Australian rules football player and umpire. He played for East Perth in the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL) during the 1940s and 1950s before becoming a WANFL umpire.
Playing career
Gardner made his debut for East Perth in 1942 and played 113 matches in two stints with the club between 1942 and 1951. He was a member of East Perth's 1944 premiership-winning team.
Umpiring career
In 1952 he was nominated as a WANFL umpire and began officiating the same year.
After a match between East Perth and Swan Districts in 1955, he was attacked by an angry mob of East Perth supporters unhappy with their team losing. He was smuggled out of the ground by police.
He took charge of four WANFL grand finals, in 1956, 1958, 1960 and 1961.