ARTICLE: Ward training with Tractor Boys

[ClaretTony]

Stephen Ward looking for a new club

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/ward-train ... actor-boys

[Bosscat]

That goal v Chelski was sublime

[burnmark]

An excellent signing by Dyche and served us extremely well once established at left back after the Hull Boxing Day game.

[ClaretTony]

I thought he was an outstanding signing. Suffered the broken leg in the first season and then, in Dyche style, had to wait for another opportunity. Then for two and a half years was a key player in our team.

[JohnDearyMe]

I was also surprised things didn't work out for him at Stoke. Thought he'd do a great job back at that level

[SammyBoy]

Great player for us for several years. That being said, I don't know what it was or when it happened exactly but he seemed to get old fast, it felt like he just looked really leggy all of a sudden and his performances dropped off pretty drastically.

[ClaretTony]

Great player for us for several years. That being said, I don't know what it was or when it happened exactly but he seemed to get old fast, it felt like he just looked really leggy all of a sudden and his performances dropped off pretty drastically.

Injury was the cause of that and once he'd had surgery and got fit he found a blockage in the way called Charlie Taylor.

[LAM]

Great player for us for several years. That being said, I don't know what it was or when it happened exactly but he seemed to get old fast, it felt like he just looked really leggy all of a sudden and his performances dropped off pretty drastically.

I recall thinking this at Burton away. He really struggled that game. Hoped it was a rust issue having been out, but evidently not.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Never knew he moved from striker to Left back...

[martin_p]

Hope he gets a deal. He’s a player I had a lot of time for during his spell at the Turf.

[ksrclaret]

Loved Stephen Ward. A top quality left back and a bargain at the fee we paid Wolves for him. I’m still amazed Wolves were so eager to get rid back in 2014.

[Rowls]

Always gave his all and so rarely had a bad game.

Good cameo in centre midfield at Leicester too.

A real professional.

[ten bellies]

Always gave his all and so rarely had a bad game.

Good cameo in centre midfield at Leicester too.

A real professional.

That game a Leicester was more than a cameo. He was superb.

[ClaretTony]

Loved Stephen Ward. A top quality left back and a bargain at the fee we paid Wolves for him. I’m still amazed Wolves were so eager to get rid back in 2014.

They were having to get players off the wage bill after the two relegations.

[ClaretTony]

Never knew he moved from striker to Left back...

He moved to the left wing first and then to left back. Wolves fans loved Wardy.

[mdd2]

Didn't we snatch him just before he was to sign for Brighton?

[the_magic_rat]

For me Wardy's finest game for us was the 2-1 victory at the Britannia in our first Premier League season under Dyche.

I can't ever recall seeing a defender win more headers or make more headed clearances than the second half that day when Stoke through the kitchen sink at us and we seemed to have to defend for our lives for the whole 45 minutes.

Good luck Wardy, wherever you end up!

[ClaretTony]

For me Wardy's finest game for us was the 2-1 victory at the Britannia in our first Premier League season under Dyche.

I can't ever recall seeing a defender win more headers or make more headed clearances than the second half that day when Stoke through the kitchen sink at us and we seemed to have to defend for our lives for the whole 45 minutes.

Good luck Wardy, wherever you end up!

Brilliant that day wasn't he? One of his early games for us too.

[Fretters]

Didn't we snatch him just before he was to sign for Brighton?

Yep, they were not happy. Was it Poyet who threw the hissy fit?

[burnmark]

Yep, they were not happy. Was it Poyet who threw the hissy fit?

Well there was a ‘y’ in the day so probably.

[Colburn_Claret]

That Stoke win will never be forgotten by anyone who saw it. I told my lad that Ward would have thrown himself in front of a train if it was heading for the net.
Heroic performance.
Good luck Steve.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I was also surprised things didn't work out for him at Stoke. Thought he'd do a great job back at that level

One of my favourite ever clarets. But it was clear before that move his legs had gone.

He’s gone from an 8/10 every week to really below par. Almost overnight.

[ClaretTony]

Yep, they were not happy. Was it Poyet who threw the hissy fit?

Never played for Poyet. He had a season on loan at Brighton when Oscar Garcia was manager and when they tried to sign him Sami Hyypia had taken over.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Great signing for us and very solid.

Surprised to see how poorly a number of our players have done back in the Championship after being very good for us.
Jones and Vokes for example.

[ClaretTony]

Great signing for us and very solid.

Surprised to see how poorly a number of our players have done back in the Championship after being very good for us.
Jones and Vokes for example.

I think that’s been more about the club they went to

[Bordeauxclaret]

Perhaps, they’ve gone from being very good players to not being able to get into very poor teams in a relatively small space of time.

It probably says a lot about our setup as well.

[ecc]

Yet another great signing of recent years.

Seems to be a faily reserved bloke. Top, top professional who trains, plays and goes home. Never any nonsense. Straightfoward old-style professional and a vital member of this great generation of Clarets.

I really hope he gets a deal sorted. The game needs players like him.

[Jenny55]

Decent pro. Should easily be able to cut it in the Championship for a few more seasons.

[ClaretTony]

Now been offered a deal by Ipswich according to their local press

[Rowls]

Pleased for him. He's surely got a year or two left in him at some professional level.

[BenWickes]

Pleased for him. May not be as fast as he was but has a good football brain.