Judo helped Saul secure Hatters scholarship
SAUL Gardner, aged 15 and a student at Laurus School in Cheadle Hulme, is delighted to have been awarded a football scholarship by Stockport County.
As well as his development and success on the football field, Saul is also an accomplished judo player at the club based in the Drill in Cheadle, led by judo legend Steve Pullen MBE.
Saul began playing football at the age of three and joined Reddish Vulcans Football Club at the age of five where he began playing competitive football.
He remained at Reddish Vulcans until the age of nine, when he joined Stockport’s Elite Football Coaching. Both clubs were very successful, winning multiple awards and trophies.
Alongside this, he attended a number of different academy development centres between the ages of five and10 years until he signed his first academy contract with Blackburn Rovers.
During his five seasons with Blackburn, his team competed at a very high level and played many regional, national and international tournaments.
In 2023 they won the prestigious Iber Cup tournament in Portugal and in the final they played Sporting Lisbon, with Saul sealing the win for Blackburn with the decisive penalty!
He also played for Stockport Boys and Greater Manchester Boys and is now looking forward to working hard for two years in the Stockport County Scholarship.
Saul said: “I would like to thank all the coaches that have helped me develop along my football journey so far – and to my mum and dad for being my taxi drivers and biggest fans!
”The next chapter in my football journey is with my home town team,
Stockport County as I have accepted a two year scholarship with them. My plan is to work hard, continue to develop and make my first team debut as soon as possible!”
Saul began judo at school, at age of six, and it became clear from the very start he was a talent.
He then started attending Cheadle judo club with Steve Pullen and his team, attending three times a week entering various club competitions and winning the majority.
Saul added: “As most sports have transferable skills, it was clear to see the main principles of Judo- discipline controlled aggression and quick thinking had rolled into my footballing game.
“I’d like to thank the judo coaches especially Steve for his leadership and skills/Judo training.
“My younger brother Leo is 12 and he also attends Laurus Cheadle Hulme School and is following in my footsteps, as a very good Judo player and footballer.”