Thirty-two years on and the Boro chairman will hop on the train just like he does every year to watch NonLeague Finals Day.
This time, however, he’ll be wearing a suit and a proud smile as wide as the Wembley arch.
“I’m just going through a different entrance this year,” Gardener laughs. “When you walk up Wembley Way and see the guys selling half-and-half scarves, flags and you see the supporters of course, when you’re involved in it, you do think, ‘What must it be like to go to Wembley to support your own club?’.
“For Non-League clubs, certainly at our level, the Vase is the only opportunity. You’re never going to make it to an FA Cup final and even when we were in Step 4, you’re not likely to make the Trophy final. It’s the Vase that gives you that opportunity.
“There are so many teams that go into it that to make it into the last two, you need a bit of luck along the way.”
Belief they could make the final only really came when they beat North Greenford United – who had knocked out their fellow Essex Senior League high-flyers Tilbury – in the quarter-finals.
Victory at Lincoln United last month sent the club into dreamland and it’s been busy ever since with a play-off campaign this weekend around all the Wembley organising.
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.