Promotion winning former City defender retires

The towering defender was a key member of the Canaries’ 2011 Premier League winning team during his three years

at Carrow Road.

Ward moved from Coventry to City on a free transfer in May 2010, and he was a key member of Paul Lambert’s

defense-focused team during the Championship season. During the promotion campaign, the former West Ham

trainee made 39 appearances and scored one goal.

He played a part in City’s premier league campaign as well, leading them to victory twice against Liverpool and

Newcastle. Due to injury, Ward’s time at Norwich was cut short, and he later signed a loan to play for Nottingham

Forest. Then, Chris Hughton made the decision to leave him out of his 25-man Premier League roster.

When Ward’s contract at Carrow Road expired in 2013, he moved to Bournemouth, where he played a key role in

Eddie Howe’s team’s promotion to the Championship.

The defender has played for Chelmsford City, Cambridge United, Notts County, and Blackburn since then. His

coaching career has now begun with the non-league Essex team. As a professional football player, Ward had 374

appearances, 55 of which came while he was living in Norfolk.

Ward declared his retirement in a post on LinkedIn, writing, “Today I say goodbye to my playing career and look

forward to coaching the next generation.”

“I have had the good fortune to work with many amazing teammates, coaches, and managers at various teams. I

would want to express my gratitude to them for their invaluable contributions to my career and achievements. There

have been many highs and many lows, but I couldn’t tell half the narrative without them all.

“I am really delighted to have continued and made history with some of my clubs after being warned at the age of 18

that I might have to retire. Reaching the age of 36 and finishing on my terms is also a huge blessing.

“I’ve had an incredible time, but I will miss kicking a bag of air around for a living. I appreciate the recollections.