Stephen Ward (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Stephen Ward


fullname = Stephen Ward
nickname =
height = height|ft=5|in=11
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|8|20
cityofbirth = Dublin
countryofbirth = Ireland
currentclub = Wolverhampton Wanderers
clubnumber = 11
position = Left wing / Striker / Left back
youthyears =
youthclubs = Portmarnock
years = 2003–2007
2007–
clubs = Bohemians
Wolverhampton Wanderers
caps(goals) = 093 0(24)
049 00(3)
nationalyears = 2004–2007
2007
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland U21
Republic of Ireland B
nationalcaps(goals) = 005 00(1)
001 00(0)
pcupdate = 8 September 2008
ntupdate = May 13 2008

Stephen Ward (born August 20 1985 in Dublin) is an Irish footballer, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Championship.

Career

Ward began his senior career at Bohemians and scored twice on his debut when introduced as a substitute against Skerries Town in the FAI Cup on 15 August 2003. He moved to England, signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the 2006 League of Ireland season in January 2007 for an undisclosed fee.

He made a bright start to life in the English Championship, scoring 3 times in his first 6 league games, winning him the "Championship Player of the Month Award" for February 2007. He featured in all of the club's remaining fixtures as they reached the play-offs.

The following season was less successful as Ward was only played in an unfamiliar left wing role (ironically, a position he was forced to play in under Gareth Farrelly whilst at Bohs), covering for the injured Matthew Jarvis, and he himself later suffered patella tendonitis that ruled him out for three months.

Despite regaining full fitness, Ward has not been an automatic first choice player in recent times, but has proved valuable in his willingness to play in any available position. During the current season alone, he has appearanced as a left winger, striker, and even emergency left back

He is under contract to the Molineux club until the end of the 2010/11 season.

External links

* [http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10307~38221,00.html Official club profile]
*soccerbase|id=46039|name=Stephen Ward