Sunderland loanee scores debut brace as non-league club publicly thanks Cats for transfer.

Harry Gardiner made a good debut against the Blyth Spartans last weekend.

Harry Gardiner scored twice in his debut for Blyth Spartans on Saturday, just 24 hours after joining the non-league club.

The striker scored twice against Bishop Stortford in the National League North after completing a loan move from Wearside to Northumberland.
Gardiner signed a new one-year contract with the club last summer, extending his stay on Wearside until 2024. The 20-year-old has eight goals in all competitions for Sunderland’s youth teams this season, but will play for Blyth in the next five games against Banbury United, Gloucester City, Scarborough, Warrington Town, and Hereford.

“We’re really happy to bring Harry Gardner in, and I’d like to thank Sunderland for their assistance in getting it over the line for the weekend,” Blyth manager Jon Shaw said after the signing.

“I know Harry from when he was younger; he attended South Shields Academy before being quickly signed by Sunderland.

“Back then we could see he’s a goal scorer, he has a very good understanding of where to be and a great attitude.”He’s spent four years developing and has emerged as a key figure at the under-21 level, and I’m excited to see him prove himself in first-team football.

Gardiner stepped up to the under-21s after fellow forward Max Thompson suffered an ankle injury last season, and he was nominated for Premier League 2 Player of the Month in February.

Gardiner impressed Sunderland’s under-21 side under Graeme Murty last season, scoring twice in a memorable 4-1 win over Stoke City, but he has yet to make his first-team debut.

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