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Matt Gardner

I hail from Hartlepool, England I'm a proud Northerner and I love my sports. Through my friend and Atomic Sports Media colleague Jon Bellwood, I joined the site.

I have many interests. Although I am a British sports fan, and my beloved Hartlepool United are my top team, I also love American sports. This is mainly due to my inclusion in The University of Hull Sharks (American) football team, but I'd followed the NFL since 2001 and the NHL since 1997. My allegiance to the Pittsburgh Penguins carried over to my other love - the Pittsburgh Steelers.

My greatest moments as a sports fan include:

Hartlepool United's rise to the League One playoff final (which we sadly lost to Sheffield Wednesday, 4-2). Never been prouder, regardless of the result.
Super Bowl XL, Pittsburgh Steelers making it five (and making it my first Steelers Super Bowl)
Hartlepool United's 4-3 win over Luton Town on 6th April, 2004. There has never been a sweeter goal than that scored by Hugh Robertson in front of the home fans in the Town End.
Darlington 0-3 Hartlepool United, 25th March 2007: smashing our local rivals. I apologise for my earlier comment about Robertson - Eifion Williams' second goal against this lot was EVEN BETTER.

I try to be a good writer but I know that there is always room for improvement. If you feel that I am unfair, unjust or generally need a bit of a kick up the arse, feel free to email me at mattgardner(at)gmail(dot)com.

Make sure to check out my personal website, Gardner's World.

Articles by this Author

» What's in a Name?

By Matt Gardner | Published 02/15/2008 | Blog Heaven | Rating:

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Nominative determination. It's a rare phenomenon in which a person's name just so happens to perfectly reflect what they are all about. In sports, as Atomic Sports columnist Matt Gardner writes, there are more than a few examples -- even if Scott Speed never really lived up to the moniker.

» The Great Outdoors

By Matt Gardner | Published 01/16/2008 | NHL | Rating:

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Good news and positive press have been hard to come by for the NHL in the past decade. But the outdoor contest between the Penguins and Sabres on New Years Day brough big ratings and huge crowds and, as Atomic Sports columnist Matt Gardner writes, a glimmer of hope for the fading league.

» Common Grounds

By Matt Gardner | Published 11/5/2007 | Atomic Sports Media | Unrated printer version

Things can be pretty different from one side of the Atlantic to the other, whether it be what constitutes football or the proper attire for streaking during a big game. But Atomic Sports columnist Matt Gardner thinks he's found a common bond.

» Culture Clash

By Matt Gardner | Published 11/3/2007 | NFL | Rating:

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It can't be said that the U.S. sent its best and brightest, but as Atomic Sports columnist Matt Gardner writes, the NFL's first regular-season venture to Europe was well worth the effort -- even if the Jason Taylor robot scared the hell out of everyone.

» National Football League's European Vacation

By Matt Gardner | Published 09/27/2007 | NFL | Rating:

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"Look kids, Parliament, Big Ben... and Eli Manning?" The NFL is headed to London, and while it can't be considered anything but a grand experiment for now, Atomic Sports columnist Matt Gardner couldn't be more excited, and wonders if other sports will follow suit.

» Familiarity Breeds Contempt

By Matt Gardner | Published 08/20/2007 | Greatest Sports Rivalries | Rating:

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It may not be the most widely known rivalry, but with just a few miles separating them and a lengthy history of bad blood, Atomic Sports columnist Matt Gardner writes that Hartlepool and Darlington are two of England's fiercest adversaries.

» The Other Side of the Pond

By Matt Gardner | Published 07/23/2007 | NFL | Rating:

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In the U.S., the NFL is king. In Europe, however, American football never caught on. In his Atomic Sports Media debut, Matt Gardner explains where the NFL went wrong with NFL Europa and hopes its next venture overseas will be a better one.