| Harold Gainger | |
| Fullname: | Harold John Gainger[1] |
| Birth Date: | 23 June 1909 |
| Birth Place: | Ondit, Victoria |
| Death Place: | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Originalteam: | Beeac / Terang |
| Height: | 182 cm |
| Weight: | 83 kg |
| Statsend: | 1936 |
| Years1: | 1934–1936 |
| Club1: | St Kilda |
| Games Goals1: | 25 (12) |
Harold John Gainger (23 June 1909 – 11 March 1988)[2] was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[3]
Gainger, who was originally from Beeac, had already spent a season as captain-coach of Terang, before coming to St Kilda in 1934.[4] [5]
Described by former Geelong coach Lloyd Hagger as "one of the best ruck men in the Western District", Gainger also played at centre half-forward.[5] [6] He played 14 of a possible 18 games for St Kilda, in the 1934 season and looked to leave the club the following year to coach Mortlake, but was unable to get a clearance.[7] [8] Remaining at St Kilda, Gainger played seven league games that year, then only four in 1936.[7]
In 1937, Gainger went to Victorian Football Association club Sandringham, where he played for two seasons.[9] [10]