Stephen Ward

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:29 pm

Been confirmed that he'll be leaving - I'll get something on site about him tomorrow but what an excellent signing he was and all the best to him.

Bigvince · Post by **Bigvince** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:30 pm

All the best to him, he’s played a big part in our recent success.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:33 pm

Probably time for him and us to move on, with the emergence of Charlie Taylor and his injury issues, but what a fantastic left back he's been for us.

I still remember the first time I saw him play for us, in the 2-2 draw at Leicester. He played central midfield that afternoon and put in a great shift. Best of luck to him

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:33 pm

I was hoping he’d get a run out before the game unfolded as it did.
Good luck to him whatever or wherever he moves on to. Class act.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:36 pm

ksrclaret wrote:Probably time for him and us to move on, with the emergence of Charlie Taylor and his injury issues, but what a fantastic left back he's been for us.

I still remember the first time I saw him play for us, in the 2-2 draw at Leicester. He played central midfield that afternoon and put in a great shift. Best of luck to him

Absolutely spot on is that in terms of it being time for him to move on, his performances at left back and that superb performance at Leicester.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:42 pm

Fantastic servant to the club. Was the right signing for the right time, performed above and beyond what we expected from him - especially last season, and now is moving on at the right time as well.

Nothing but respect for Wardy.

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:43 pm

Superb player for us.

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:47 pm

Thanks, Stephen Ward, for all you've contributed to the Clarets. Good luck with your next club. I'm sure you will bring them success.

UTC

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:47 pm

I agree 100% with all of the comments already made

He was an excellent signing and now is the right time for him to move on

I wish him all the very best and thank him for all of the excellent performances that he has put in for us

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:49 pm

The Chelsea goal. Wow. All the best.

RalphCoatesComb · Post by **RalphCoatesComb** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:49 pm

Thank you Stephen. Some of your performances have been World Class. Good Luck !

claretburns · Post by **claretburns** » Sun May 12, 2019 6:56 pm

Stoke away in the first Premier season under Dyche, he was a one man defence that day, in my top 5 of individual performances I have seen, all the best to him.

DAVETHEVICAR · Post by **DAVETHEVICAR** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:14 pm

Agree with previous posts, an excellent signing for us.
All the best fit the future Stephen

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:15 pm

Stephen Ward has been amazing for us.

He was a key reason why we went on that 23 game undefeated run in our Championship winning season and what about that goal away at Chelsea eh?

Outside of the left foot curling unstoppably into the stantion! What a pearler!

And his performance at Leicester when asked to play central midfield had me begging (for a few weeks at least) to have him converted to a holding midfielder.

As far as I'm concerned, although he's never been seen as a "character" or the most charismatic in terms of style on the pitch he has achieved enough -and contributed *more* than enough= to be considered a Burnley legend.

Thank you Stephen Ward and all the best whatever the future holds for you.

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:15 pm

Brilliant for us

Murger · Post by **Murger** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:15 pm

Been a great player for us.

Giftonsnoidea · Post by **Giftonsnoidea** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:15 pm

Shame really thought he could do a job as cover, wonder who we’ll get in

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:15 pm

23 undefeated stalwart !! Been superb for us

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:34 pm

What a Star he’s been for us. I genuinely feel we’ve had the best three years of his career at Burnley.
Good luck, wherever you go, Stephen.

beddie · Post by **beddie** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:40 pm

Yes, superb for us. Shame the way the game panned out as it did today otherwise we could have given him the send off he so deserved. Thanks for the memories Wardy.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:42 pm

great player, had skill and pace and was rock solid and reliable. Always looked forward to seeing him included on the team sheet.

best of luck to him.

MrTopTier · Post by **MrTopTier** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:45 pm

Time stops for no man.

Great player for us as has been said, great at Leicester, fantastic goal at Chelsea, brilliant in the promotion season and truly awesome in that game at Stoke. All the best Wardy.

#pray for hibsclaret.

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:49 pm

The best of luck to him. What a signing he was. Superb footballer.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Sun May 12, 2019 7:51 pm

Sad to lose another stalwart of our success.
Fabulous left back and scintillating running down the wing and crossing.

The Chelsea goal, to get us off to a flyer, was brilliant.

A huge thank you and my very, very best for a continuing successful career.

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:00 pm

He was terrific for us - sad to see him go but wish him all the best for the future

MRG · Post by **MRG** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:11 pm

I knew that this was coming from late 2018. There had been some concerns within the club about some ongoing issues with his knees.

A fantastic player for us over the years and a player that I wish nothing but the best of luck in whatever comes next for him

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:27 pm

Key member of the 23 game run and always reliable.

Only 5 members of that championship winning squad now remain

Heaton
Lowton
Mee
Barnes
Long

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:36 pm

Awesome signing-always be a claret. Yes I agree we saw some of his best days. Good footballing brain and very calm-reminds me of Keith Newton. To those younger people on this Board that's high praise

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:37 pm

Thankyou Wardy for all you gave to Burnley. Top man.

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:38 pm

Made lots of contributions, particularly in our long unbeaten run to win the league.
That Chelsea goals been mentioned, but I'll do it again;
What a Goal!!!

Good luck and, best wishes, Steven.

the_fat_shearer · Post by **the_fat_shearer** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:39 pm

wilks_bfc wrote:Key member of the 23 game run and always reliable.

Only 5 members of that championship winning squad now remain

Heaton
Lowton
Mee
Barnes
Long

Tarky in addition to those above (admittedly he didn't play much)

As for Ward, what a great servant. When you think what you ask of Burnley players - quality and commitment - he's provided it.

Probably the correct decision in the long run to let him go, but from the comments here I hope he sees he's very much appreciated and I hope he gets a contract somewhere.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:43 pm

Have really enjoyed watching Stephen Ward in a Burnley shirt. Good signing.

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:04 pm

Thank you Wardinho - great player and a very good man.

UTC!

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:09 pm

Been fantastic part of our success. Amazing goal at Chelsea.

Noblelight · Post by **Noblelight** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:19 pm

Thank you Stephen Ward, and all the best for the future. Class act.
UTC

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:33 pm

I’m 32, been going on since 1992, and he would make my all time 11 - that’s how good he was for us. Taylor has rightfully taken the shirt now (and could well replace Wardy as the best left back I’ve seen given time) and it’s a good time to part ways whilst he can still get a two year deal at a decent Championship side I would think.

All the best Wardy, what a fantastic signing you proved to be.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:35 pm

the_fat_shearer wrote:Tarky in addition to those above (admittedly he didn't play much)

I can’t use that as an excuse. I’d included Long and he didn’t play for us at all that season

Burnleyareback2 · Post by **Burnleyareback2** » Sun May 12, 2019 10:10 pm

Great player, won’t be surprised to see him playing against us next season.

ALP · Post by **ALP** » Sun May 12, 2019 10:21 pm

Consummate professional and a good player for us, all the very best for the future; he'll aways be a Claret.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Sun May 12, 2019 10:29 pm

Wardy is summed up by the 2nd goal in the 2-0 win at home to Liverpool. If you get chance to watch that goal again it's a classic counter attack and Ward is the furthest player up the pitch when the goal goes in even though he starts the move from our box...best left back I have seen for us, certainly since the 70’s.

MRG · Post by **MRG** » Sun May 12, 2019 10:37 pm

Hibsclaret wrote:Wardy is summed up by the 2nd goal in the 2-0 win at home to Liverpool. If you get chance to watch that goal again it's a classic counter attack and Ward is the furthest player up the pitch when the goal goes in even though he starts the move from our box...best left back I have seen for us, certainly since the 70’s.

Thinking about you at this difficult time

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Sun May 12, 2019 10:47 pm

Fantastic player and served us well. One of his greatest contributions was pushing Taylor to improve as much as he has.

ecc · Post by **ecc** » Mon May 13, 2019 8:06 pm

Just found out. I'm somewhat surprised to be honest. I thought he'd stay for another season.

He's been a class act. After decades of poor left-backs, Wardie gave us an extra dimension. An old-style top pro. Very low profile, clearly fully-focused on his football and, I imagine, respected by everybody at TM.

I wish you well, Stephen. Thank you for the great job you did for us.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon May 13, 2019 8:08 pm

Been a fantastic signing, and also been released at the right time.

Cheers for the memories Stephen, you've been one our most consistent players for so long and we will miss you.

IWOODLOVETT · Post by **IWOODLOVETT** » Mon May 13, 2019 9:40 pm

Stephen Ward.
Had to wait his turn when Ben Mee was LB. showed his worth at Stoke and when the manger saw the light he made the position his own and the team then went on that unbeaten run to the Championship title.

Continued his form in the Prem. - solid as a rock, immaculate positional sense and a good understanding with his teammates particularly Mee and Brady.

More of a goal threat than will be remembered, excellent blocker at corners (both ends) and who can forget that goal at Chelsea.
Thanks Wardy.

Wokingclaret · Post by **Wokingclaret** » Mon May 13, 2019 10:31 pm

All the best Wardy

lucs86 · Post by **lucs86** » Mon May 13, 2019 10:40 pm

claretburns wrote:Stoke away in the first Premier season under Dyche, he was a one man defence that day, in my top 5 of individual performances I have seen, all the best to him.

Absolutely, 10/10 that day.

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Mon May 13, 2019 10:40 pm

Top, top player. Thanks Wardy and best wishes!

Spike · Post by **Spike** » Mon May 13, 2019 10:46 pm

Wardy was a fantastic servant of Burnley FC! He always gave 100%.Hewas a marvellous player .

I thank him and wish him all the best

Swizzlestick · Post by **Swizzlestick** » Mon May 13, 2019 10:53 pm

Proper full back. A great player for us who’ll be missed.