STEPHEN WARD’S view from the bench as Brighton sealed Wolves’ relegation fate at the Amex on 4 May 2013 was enough to convince him it was a place he’d like to get to know better.
Rather than drop down to the third tier with Kenny Jackett’s side, Ward switched from Molineux to the Albion to join Oscar Garcia’s promotion hopefuls.
Having won the Championship with Wolves in 2009, Republic of Ireland international left-back Ward brought ideal experience to a Brighton set-up looking to mount another tilt at promotion after missing out at the play-off semi-finals stage the season before.
The defender made 47 appearances, chipped in with four goals, and was runner-up in the player of the season awards as Albion once again fell at the play-off semi-finals hurdle.
Nonetheless, it looked like Ward would make his stay permanent – until newly-promoted Burnley stepped in and offered him a more immediate return to Premier League football.
Convinced that Brighton had clinched the deal for Ward, boss Jackett told the local press: “The clubs have agreed and now it’s down to Brighton and the player. It is a good move for him, he did well last year, they got into the top six and he was part of it. They have wanted him all along.
“All of us thank him for what he’s done and wish him all the best. He got a club reasonably quickly last season which shows the standard of the player.
“He didn’t let them down. He’s got a good reputation in the Championship and has been professional here. He had been good enough to get a good move last year and he has got a good one now.”
According to the player’s agent, if Albion’s head of football David Burke hadn’t dithered over a deal, Ward would have signed on the dotted line for the Seagulls.
But his prevarication opened the door to Sean Dyche’s Clarets and Ward headed to Turf Moor instead, returning to play at the elite level at which he’d previously made 94 appearances for Wolves between 2009 and 2012.
Ward had also played 128 times at Championship level for Wanderers having joined them aged 21 in 2007, moving over from his native Ireland, where he had spent four years with League of Ireland side Bohemians.
After making his Albion debut in a 1-0 win at Birmingham, Ward told BBC Radio Sussex: “From watching them last year and playing against them, it is a team I admire for how they play the game.
“Every footballer wants to play in a team that likes to pass the ball and keeps the ball. On the last day of the season, they played us (Wolves) off the park. It was one of the reasons I was really excited about the move.”
Although he had enjoyed success at Wolves, he had also been part of back-to-back relegations and he said: “I felt I needed a fresh start and I am thankful Brighton gave me that. I hope I can repay their faith. Hopefully I can help the team go one better than last year.”
Reflecting on his time with the Albion in a matchday programme article, Ward was complimentary about Garcia, saying: “I loved the mentality of the manager, the environment, and I learnt a lot as a result.
“He wanted to play out from the back, he wanted us to be really expansive, and that allowed me to get forward, which I really enjoyed doing.
“I learnt a lot from the manager and would speak to him about his time at Barcelona.
“I was lucky that I also had experienced players around me in defence like Matty Upson, who was great for me, and Bruno. He’s one of the best guys I’ve met in football – he was so welcoming to me and my family.”
Although principally in the side to defend, Ward also scored four times for the Seagulls, one coming in the impressive 4-1 win at Leicester and another in the crucial 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest that helped to clinch a spot in the play-offs.
“Going to Brighton was great for me; I had a fantastic year, a really enjoyable time, and I don’t have a single bad word to say about the club or the city,” he said. “I enjoyed every minute.”
After five years at Turf Moor, Ward went on to play for Stoke City (when Nathan Jones was boss), Ipswich Town and Walsall, hanging up his boots in 2022. He also made 50 appearances for Republic of Ireland, playing for the national side at the Euro 2012 and 2016 finals.
At the end of a 19-year playing career, Ward had clocked up 570 senior appearances.
Disappointed to see the player retire, Walsall manager Michael Flynn told BBC Radio WM: “He’s somebody I’d love to have worked with for a longer period. He’s a breath of fresh air. But, unfortunately, he’s at the age where he thinks his body’s had enough.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for Stephen Ward. He’s had a fantastic career and is still working hard day in, day out and he’s a model professional.
“The way he’s handled himself has been exemplary and I don’t expect anything else from someone who’s had the career he’s had because it’s been an unbelievable career.”
During the 2022-23 season, Ward was part-time assistant manager to former Wolves teammate Roger Johnson at National League North side Brackley Town.
His next steps were in football administration and he achieved a Masters degree in sports directorship through the University of East London while serving as director of football at National League side Solihull Moors. Head coach from June 2023 to January 2025 was Andrew Whing, who played more than 100 games for the Albion between 2006 and 2011.
Stepping down from the role in August 2025 to spend more time with his family, Ward said: “We shared some great moments together most notably watching our club appear at Wembley Stadium in the play-off final.”
Moors missed out on the chance to gain a first ever promotion to the Football League in May 2024, beaten in a penalty shootout by Bromley after twice coming from behind to take the game to extra time and then penalties.
Agonisingly, a week later, Moors lost on penalties again, this time in the FA Trophy final at Wembley, Gateshead edging it 5-4 after the sides were level on 2-2.
“It’s a brilliant club and a very special place to work but it’s time to step away and recharge the batteries,” said Ward. “Football is a fast-moving industry and it can be tough to find the right balance.”
In parallel lines 