Ashley Ward

Ashley Ward (born 24 November 1970) is a businessman and an English former footballer who played centre forward.

"Ashley ward" redirects here. For the council ward, see Ashley (Bristol ward).

Ashley Ward
Personal information
Full name Ashley Stuart Ward
Date of birth (1970-11-24) 24 November 1970
Place of birth Middleton, Lancashire, England
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Cheadle Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1991 Manchester City 1 (0)
1991 → Wrexham (loan) 4 (2)
1991–1992 Leicester City 10 (0)
1992 → Blackpool (loan) 2 (1)
1992–1994 Crewe Alexandra 61 (25)
1994–1996 Norwich City 53 (18)
1996–1997 Derby County 40 (9)
1997–1998 Barnsley 46 (20)
1998–2000 Blackburn 54 (13)
2000–2003 Bradford City 84 (17)
2003–2005 Sheffield United 33 (5)
Total 388 (110)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

Ward was born in Middleton, Lancashire, the son of a coal mining engineer. He attended William Hulme's Grammar School, which opted for rugby and lacrosse as the school sports over football.[1]

Football career

Ward had a spell with Manchester United in the 1986–87 season, making 16 appearances for the club's Junior B team. He then played for Cheadle Town Youth, and chose to become an apprentice at Manchester City above an offer from Blackburn Rovers.[1]

He played for several different clubs in his career, including Crewe Alexandra, where he made his name, Norwich City, Derby County, Barnsley and Blackburn Rovers and Bradford City.

Ward contributed to Derby's 1996-97 Premier League campaign, scoring a late winner against Chelsea. One of his other goals came as Derby beat Manchester United 3–2 at Old Trafford.[2][3] Barnsley signed Ward from Derby County in September 1997, shortly after their promotion to the Premier League. Throughout their debut season in the Premier League he scored some important goals, including the only goal in a victory against Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield and Villa Park, respectively.[4][5]

In November 1998, whilst still playing for Barnsley in a match at Sunderland, Ward scored, missed a penalty and got sent off in the space of five minutes, with all incidents also involving Sunderland defender Darren Williams.[6]

Ward retired in the summer of 2005.

After retirement

Ward and his wife run a number of businesses, including:

  • A commercial property business.
  • Operating Abafields, a nursing home in Bolton bought for development but now operating under a manager[7]
  • Managing a £15million luxury property development company Bilton Ward Developments.[7][8][9] Formed in 2002 the company specialises in the building and renovation of luxury homes, many for footballers including Kevin Campbell and Wayne Rooney.[10] Interior design is often done by former Changing Rooms designer Laura McCree.

References
  1. Ashley reaps the rewards for dogged determination Archived 14 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Football: Break-up blues for Ward and Sturridge". Independent. 1 March 1997. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  3. "Wanchope cuts down United". Independent. 5 April 1997. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  4. "Football: Liverpool left in emergency Ward". Independent. 22 November 1997. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  5. "Football: Ward makes Villa pay for profligacy". Independent. 11 March 1998. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  6. "Tykes take shine to a Light show of passion". Guardian. 21 November 1998. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  7. "Premiership class". Homesearch. 23 February 2005. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  8. Living: A style she can sell – Times Online
  9. Living: A style she can sell – Times Online
  10. Latest news, breaking news, current news, UK news, world news, celebrity news, politics news – Telegraph
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