ARTICLE: Heavy hearted Ward ends Ireland career

[ClaretTony]

And more catching up, Stephen Ward retires from international football with just two Clarets remaining in the Ireland squad

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/heavy-heart ... and-career" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Steve1956]

Gone from five to two,what's happened?

[mdd2]

My family have been in Birmingham while I was in Burnley

Past tense from Wardy. Does that mean he is off this summer?

[Goobs]

Gone from five to two,what's happened?

The other 3 didn't make the cut

[Goobs]

My family have been in Birmingham while I was in Burnley

Past tense from Wardy. Does that mean he is off this summer?

Would be surprised if he wasn't someone we were happy to let go in the summer. Taylor has the LB spot now and I expect we will either sign a younger player or promote Koiki to reserve if he is seen as good enough long term.

[ClaretTony]

My family have been in Birmingham while I was in Burnley

Past tense from Wardy. Does that mean he is off this summer?

It relates to the last few years when he’s also been playing for Ireland. He’s out of contract though and will struggle to get back in given the improvement from Taylor.

[mdd2]

But will we take up the option of another year? Or if we stay up spend a shed load on a LB who will spend at least most of the season on the bench?

[ClaretTony]

But will we take up the option of another year? Or if we stay up spend a shed load on a LB who will spend at least most of the season on the bench?

No idea. Club have already said they are waiting to see how things are after the op.

[Quickenthetempo]

With Brady being able to cover left back I would think he will move on.

Played well for us, certainly above the ability he seems to possess.

Other areas need the money spending if we stay up.

[Duffer_]

He had a purple patch where he was the best left back I'd seen at the Club. Add in his excellent attitude and dark arts on corners, and it will be with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to him at the end of the season (or next). Thanks for the ride Wardinho!

UTC!

[ClaretTony]

He had a purple patch where he was the best left back I'd seen at the Club. Add in his excellent attitude and dark arts on corners, and it will be with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to him at the end of the season (or next). Thanks for the ride Wardinho!

UTC!

I was a bit underwhelmed when we signed him to be honest but what a fantastic signing he turned out to be for us.

[FeedTheArf]

He had a purple patch where he was the best left back I'd seen at the Club. Add in his excellent attitude and dark arts on corners, and it will be with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to him at the end of the season (or next). Thanks for the ride Wardinho!

UTC!

Agree with this. Has been a great servant, especially on a free transfer, but Taylor is making the position his own now and you would expect us to have a young up and coming left back on our shopping list if Koiki is deemed not to be ready when they have a look at him in pre-season.

[Cleveleys_claret]

I was a bit underwhelmed when we signed him to be honest but what a fantastic signing he turned out to be for us.

Likewise but then saw he had won the player of the season the season before at BHA if I recall correctly and thought to myself maybe we have a decent player on our hands. And my oh my have we. Been fantastic in his time with us

[ClaretTony]

Likewise but then saw he had won the player of the season the season before at BHA if I recall correctly and thought to myself maybe we have a decent player on our hands. And my oh my have we. Been fantastic in his time with us

I didn't know he'd won the award at Brighton where he'd been on loan. I did know that he was at Brighton waiting to sign for them when we made our move to get him.

[IanMcL]

Surprised that Long has been omitted. He was becoming a regular, in the previous regime.

[Steve1956]

Long just added to squad...back to 3 clarets.

[COBBLE]

Long needs to be playing to be a more automatic choice.

[ŽižkovClaret]

That goal at Chelsea will live long in the memory that's for sure