Wanderers' Jamaican soccer star Ricardo Gardner's life is literally an open book -- for all to see.

The Wanderers' player talks about his life and ambitions as part of the Bolton Museum and Art Gallery's latest exhibition, Our Commonwealth: Our Home.

And although the display is due to end tomorrow, there is no question what one of the most popular exhibits has been -- Ricardo's famous white Wanderers shirt.

Ricardo's life story features in the oral history project section of the exhibition, which was carried out by Bolton writer Stephen Fielding.

The aim is to look at the variety of people, originally from Commonwealth countries throughout the world, who now live in Bolton.

In the exhibition, Ricardo tells how he was born in 1978, in Kingston in a community called Harbour View. With four brothers and sisters he spent a lot of his time playing football. He says: "I did spend a lot of my time playing football, in parks, in streets with my friends. Five a side sometimes on a Sunday . . . even barefoot on the beach."

His brother played for Harbour View, and Ricardo describes how he learned from watching him.

From the age of 13, Ricardo played for the same team and eventually made it to the senior side. He was then selected for the national team to play in the World Cup in France in 1998. After the World Cup, Bolton got in touch with his agent Philip Graham. He was then bought by Bolton Wanderers and has recently signed another three year deal at the club.

Ricardo describes his "best moment" in the World Cup as when Jamaica beat Japan 2-1 in the last game. And adds how delighted he was to be signed by Wanderers. He says: "It felt great getting interest from an English team. In Jamaica you get to watch English football a lot on TV, every Sunday with a live game.

"But it was never my intention to come to England. To be honest, I wasn't even thinking about it. I didn't think it was possible. But I got the chance and I'm enjoying every bit of it since I have been here. Coming to the town for the first time was great. I came with my agent and I went to the stadium to sign my contract. It was a great feeling . . . and the stadium was beautiful."

Ricardo adds how he is currently enjoying his time at Bolton. He says: "I just want to keep on playing good and trying to make the best out of it."

When Ricardo finally settles down back in Jamaica he says he would like the opportunity to and set up a foundation: "I think there's a lot of future for the kids in Jamaica, but it's just the opportunity and the chance they need and better facilities . . .things like that."

Ricardo's story is one of 19 featured in the exhibition. Author, Stephen Fielding said: "I never imagined when I started this project that Bolton's links with the Commonwealth were so extensive and so deep. I never imagined we would end up with so many fascinating stories."

Sean Baggaley, Keeper of Social History added: "Bolton Museum is proud to be able to include Ricardo's story in the exhibition. The shirt he has loaned to us has certainly proved one of our more popular exhibits."