The White City born defender, Rudolf Seale, joined the Glamour Boys as a youngster back in the early '80s to become one of the best left backs to have donned the gold and black. He was a no nonsense defender and will always be remembered for the runs he used to make on the left.

Back in 1992 he was fined by his Coach, Jeff Butler for head-butting Bush Bucks defender Patrick Mxoli during a tense Bob Save semifinal match that Chiefs won by a solitary goal.

Speaking to kaizerchiefs.com Gardner said; ‘It was one of those incidents that I regret. I was hard on opponents but my intention was never to take people to the hospital. It happened that I lost it after he had tackled me from behind. I never had an opportunity to apologise. It was not personal so if he reads this, I am sorry,”

My transfer…

I joined Kaizer Chiefs development in 1981. I played there until 1988 and then I was loaned out to Blackpool together with Fani Madida in the same year. I spent a season there. I came back as a professional in 1989.

I had made lot of friends at Blackpool with the likes of Shoes Mosheou, Gomma Gomma Masango, Fani Madida and other guys. I was reluctant going back to Chiefs. I remember ducking and diving but Bra K (Kaizer Motaung) convinced me to rejoin. The Club looked after me very well and really never cared about the contract.

I found brilliant players like Gary Bailey, Mark Tovey, Howard Freeze, Trevor Mthimkhulu, Chippa Molatedi, Marks Maponyane, Ace Khuse, Doctor Khumalo and Ntsie Maphike. I was the second youngest player to Doctor Khumalo.

I had played with Doctor and Maphike in the development. Maphike was a left winger and I of course welcomed Doctor when he joined us in the early '80s. I was delighted to join them in the first team.

My debut…

I played my first game at Orkney Stadium against Orlando Pirates in 1989. I was up against big names, Nick Seshweni, Mbazo Kamanga. Pirates scored first and I scored an equaliser. I remember the goal, a short corner and Doctor (Khumalo) played it back to me and I hit a rifle shot that came back to the field.

The weekend after that was Iwisa Spectacular. Here I was coming face to face with the great Andries Panyaza from Mamelodi Sundowns. I handled him and I remember the fans asking, ‘who is this youngster’. I lifted my first trophy that day as we won the Spectacular.

My jersey…

There were a couple of numbers that were available; no. 5, no. 13 no. 18 and a couple of others. Before you pick a jersey, people who have been at Chiefs will tell you this, you will have to think who was a traditional owner of the jersey.

I decided to choose no. 13 because my hero Shaka Ngcobo was the traditional owner of the jersey. My uncle at Pirates Big Boy Kholoane was using no. 13 at Pirates.

My nickname…

People thought ‘Gardner’ was my nickname but it is my second name. I heard later the nickname ‘APLA’ I don’t know where that came from.

My highlight…

There is nothing better than winning trophies. Every trophy that I won was a highlight…I remember in 1989 having just rejoined the Club we won almost all trophies and then we won the double in 1992.

My roommate…

We used to rotate at Chiefs. I almost shared a room with everyone at Kaizer Chiefs. Augusto Palacious never believed in stable roommates. I enjoyed staying with William Shongwe, he is very easy going. I was a shy guy and like me he liked being indoors and we would watch movies.

My favourite stadium…

Rand Stadium was our slaughter house. I do not remember losing a game there. I knew the size of the stadium pitch - how many metres to the goal line. It was just in my blood…like in your bedroom...when the lights are off you know where the door handle is.

The team I wanted to beat most…

Always Pirates, for obvious reasons. We played as juniors so the rivalry started there. I remember when we lost 5-1 against them, I really felt bad. I almost cried. Palacios was released after that game.

Toughest Opponent…

All the big games, opponents were easy to handle. The likes of Mongi Rula at Umthatha Bucks and the young Joel Masilela were really tough customers. I enjoyed battles with Bashin Mahlangu, Jazzy Queen Legodi – everybody knew them so you will be fired up to handle them.

My favourite goal…

My debut goal has to be my favourite. It was against Moroka Swallows in 1992. It was a rebound from Scara Thindwa’s shot that Roger Da Sa parried into my path, I fired a first time shot. Jeff Butler said in the change room, "take it is easy. Last week you scored. Today you hit a post and scored again. Take it easy reserve your energy". I remember Kaizer (Motaung) saying, "go all the way Gardner"

My favourite coach…

It has to be Jeff Butler, besides winning trophies he was very patient. He never lost confidence in me straight from the development. He was a forward planner he would look at four games. It was two points then. He would then say I need five points and we would give him eight. He was a no nonsense coach.

The naughtiest player I played with…

It has to be Doctor (laughing). I would not want to reveal what he did at the Club level. I remember in the national team, Augusto took us for a jog. Doctor pretended to be injured at the back. When I arrived where we were running to, Doctor was there - apparently he took a taxi. He was very naughty Doctor!