Joel Ward (footballer)

Joel Ward

Ward playing for Crystal Palace in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Joel Edward Philip Ward [1]
Date of birth	(1989-10-29) October 29, 1989 (age 35) [2]
Place of birth	Emsworth, England [3]
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) [4]
Position(s)	Right-back, centre-back
Team information
Current team	Crystal Palace
Number	2
Youth career
1998–2006	East Lodge [5]
2006–2008	Portsmouth
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2012	Portsmouth	89	(6)
2008–2009	→ AFC Bournemouth (loan)	21	(1)
2012–	Crystal Palace	328	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:12, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

Joel Edward Philip Ward (born 29 October 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Crystal Palace.

A versatile defender who can play anywhere across the back-line, Ward was an academy graduate of Portsmouth F.C.. He made his senior debut in 2009 following a loan to AFC Bournemouth, and made 96 appearances for the club. In 2012, Ward was signed by Crystal Palace, and helped the side achieve promotion to the Premier League in his first season. He has since gone on to make the most top-flight appearances of any player in the club's history. Ward has been club captain since his appointment in 2023.

Club career

Portsmouth

Ward playing for Portsmouth in a match against Gosport Borough in 2009

Ward started his footballing career with local youth team East Lodge ^[5] and signed a professional contract with Portsmouth in July 2008 after spending two years in the Academy and Reserves. ^{[6] [7]}

AFC Bournemouth (loan)

The following month, Ward signed a one-year loan deal with AFC Bournemouth to gain first team experience. ^[8] It came after when he and Matt Ritchie went on trial with the Cherries and appeared in the club's three friendly matches. ^[9] Upon joining AFC Bournemouth, Ward said: "I think it will be a great opportunity for me to get first-team football and work for my place. Hopefully I can get game time and getting that experience is all part of growing up. I think League Two will be a test and it's a step up from youth and reserves football. It will be tough to compete but I think I'm capable of raising the bar." ^[10]

He soon made his debut in a League Cup match against Cardiff City on 12 August, playing the full 90 minutes as Cardiff ran out 2–1 winners. ^[11] His League Two debut came later that week on 16 August 2008 in an away draw with Aldershot Town. ^[12] As the season progressed, Ward continued to appear in defence for the Cherries, competing for a place in the starting–eleven. ^{[13] [14]} He gained the first yellow and red cards of his career on 18 October in a 4–1 away defeat to Shrewsbury Town, eventually being sent off for two bookable offences. ^{[15] [14]} After serving a one match suspension, Ward made his return, coming on as a 85th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 loss against Lincoln City on 25 October 2008. ^[16] However, his form meant that he returned to the side soon afterwards, making his Football League Trophy and FA Cup debuts: a home defeat by Colchester United and a home win against Bristol Rovers on 4 and 8 November respectively. ^[17]

However, in a match against Shrewsbury Town on 7 February 2009, Ward suffered ankle injury after "falling awkwardly" and was substituted in the 16th minute, as the club won 1–0. ^[18] After the match, he was out for eight weeks. ^[19] By April, Ward was making progress on rehabilitation from his injury. ^[20] He returned to the first team and scored his first and only Bournemouth goal in a 4–0 win over Morecambe on 2 May 2009. ^[21] At the end of the 2008–09 season, Ward went on to make twenty–five appearances and scoring once in all competitions. Following this, he returned to his parent club. ^[22]

Return to Portsmouth

On 26 August 2009, Ward made his Portsmouth debut as a centre-back against Hereford United in the League Cup, before making his Premier League debut on 14 April 2010 against Wigan Athletic, playing from start to finish at left-back as the game finished goalless. Ward played in most of Pompey's remaining league matches that season and remained at Fratton Park in the summer even after they were relegated to the Championship. He began the new season as first-choice right-back, but later lost his starting berth to Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Greg Halford. Ward scored his first Portsmouth goal in a 3–2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers on 13 November 2010. ^[23]

Starting with their 2–0 away victory over Doncaster Rovers on 12 February 2011, a game in which he scored, Ward played as an attacking midfielder in Portsmouth's new 4–2–3–1 formation and earned praise from manager Steve Cotterill who was quoted as saying: "Joel Ward has got great energy and did well in that role in the centre in midfield in behind the striker." ^{[24] [25]} On 18 December 2011, Ward scored the equaliser in the South Coast derby against Southampton which finished 1–1. ^[26]

Crystal Palace

On 28 May 2012, Ward completed a move to Crystal Palace for £400,000 on a four-year deal. ^[27] He made his debut on 14 August 2012, in a 2–1 win against Exeter City in the League Cup. ^[28] He made his league debut four days later in a home game against Watford. ^[29] He won promotion with Crystal Palace after clearing a shot off the line during the last minute of injury time against the same opponents in the 2013 Championship play-off final. ^[30] Ward scored his first goal for Crystal Palace in a 3–1 home win against Queens Park Rangers on 14 March 2015. ^[31]

On 15 April 2015, Ward signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract which kept him at Palace until the summer of 2018. ^[32] As of May 2016, Ward currently holds the record for most Premier League appearances for a Crystal Palace player. He reached the hundred milestone in a 1–1 draw away to Arsenal on 17 April 2016. ^[33]

On 2 July 2018, Ward signed a new three-year deal at the club until the summer of 2021. ^[34]

In July 2021, Ward signed a two-year contract extension. ^[35]

In June 2023, Ward signed a one-year contract extension. ^[36]

In May 2024, Ward signed another contract extension, until June 2025. ^[37]

Personal life

Ward is currently involved with helping and supporting local charity Faith and Football, which was set up by former Pompey defender Linvoy Primus. ^{[38] [39]} He attended the Bourne Community College in Southbourne and Bishop Luffa School in Chichester. Ward is a Christian and kneels down on the pitch to pray before each match. ^[40] On 20 April 2014, Ward returned to his home church for an interview about how he brings his Christian faith to his job as a footballer. ^[41] He currently resides in London.

Position versatility

Ward operated mainly as a central defender at the start of his professional career, particularly during the beginning of his time at Portsmouth and loan to Bournemouth. ^[42] He proved his versatility in the 2010–11 season with Steve Cotterill deploying him as a right-back at the start of the season, ^[43] and also played him as a central midfielder, ^[44] right midfielder ^[45] and as an attacking midfielder. ^[45] Whilst at Palace, he predominantly played at right-back, though often filled in at left back, most notably in the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons. ^[46] In the 2023–24 season, under new manager Oliver Glasner, Ward's defensive solidity saw him revert to playing as a right-sided centre-back when Glasner used a system with three centre-backs. ^[47]

Career statistics

As of match played 27 August 2024 ^[48]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other [nb 1]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Portsmouth	2008–09	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2009–10	Premier League	3	0	0	0	1	0	—		4	0
	2010–11	Championship	42	3	1	0	3	0	—		46	3
	2011–12	Championship	44	3	1	0	1	0	—		46	3
	Total		89	6	2	0	5	0	0	0	96	6
AFC Bournemouth (loan)	2008–09	League Two	21	1	2	0	1	0	1	0	25	1
Crystal Palace	2012–13	Championship	25	0	0	0	2	0	3	0	30	0
	2013–14	Premier League	36	0	0	0	0	0	—		36	0
	2014–15	Premier League	37	1	3	0	0	0	—		40	1
	2015–16	Premier League	30	2	6	1	2	0	—		38	3
	2016–17	Premier League	38	0	3	0	1	0	—		42	0
	2017–18	Premier League	19	0	0	0	1	0	—		20	0
	2018–19	Premier League	7	1	3	0	2	0	—		12	1
	2019–20	Premier League	29	0	0	0	0	0	—		29	0
	2020–21	Premier League	26	0	0	0	0	0	—		26	0
	2021–22	Premier League	28	0	3	0	1	0	—		32	0
	2022–23	Premier League	28	1	1	0	1	0	—		30	1
	2023–24	Premier League	25	0	0	0	0	0	—		25	0
	2024–25	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	—		1	0
	Total		328	5	19	1	11	0	3	0	361	6
Career total			439	12	23	1	17	0	4	0	483	13

1. Includes appearances in Football League Trophy and Football League play-offs

Honours

Crystal Palace

• Football League Championship play-offs: 2013 ^[30]
• FA Cup runner-up: 2015–16 ^[49]

References

1. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
2. "Joel Ward". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
3. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 515. ISBN   978-0-7553-6356-8.
4. "Joel Ward". Crystal Palace F.C. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
5. "Ten facts about FA Cup finallist Joel Ward". The News. 21 May 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
6. "Academy Influx Excites Woan". Portsmouth FC. 1 July 2008. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
7. "Hart Swoops for Rushden Pair". Portsmouth FC. 4 July 2004. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
8. "Ward Completes Cherries Loan Move". BBC Sport. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
9. "Kevin makes Jalal an offer". Bournemouth Echo. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
   "Pitman's Dorchester double". Dorset Echo. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
   "Bond hoping to secure Ward loan deal". Bournemouth Echo. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
10. "Ward wants starting place". Bournemouth Echo. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
11. "Bournemouth 1–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
12. "Aldershot 1–1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 16 August 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2008.
13. "Horror show is painful for Quinn". Bournemouth Echo. 15 September 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
    "Pryce is right for Trophy clash". Bournemouth Echo. 4 November 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
    "HUDSON ROCKS CHERRIES". Bournemouth Echo. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
14. "JOEL'S EIGHT DAYS TO FORGET". Bournewmouth Echo. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
15. "Shrewsbury 4–1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
16. "Quinn wants four from nine". Bournemouth Echo. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
    "SOLID CITY DEFEAT CHERRIES". Bournemouth Echo. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
17. "Bournemouth 0–1 Colchester". BBC Sport. 4 November 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
    "Bournemouth 1–0 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 8 November 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
18. "BRETT BOOSTS CHERRIES CHANCES". Bournemouth Echo. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
19. "WARD SIDELINED FOR UP TO EIGHT WEEKS". Bournemouth Echo. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
    "Ward injury woe for Cherries". Bournemouth Echo. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
20. "Ward on road to recovery". Bournemouth Echo. 10 April 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
21. "Morecambe 0–4 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
22. "CHERRIES: BRADDERS IS MORE THAN ALL RIGHT". Bournemouth Echo. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
23. "Portsmouth 2–3 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
24. "Cotterill's Donny Delight". Portsmouth FC. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2011.
25. Football-Lineups.com (Portsmouth Championship lineups from 19 February to 8 March 2011)
26. "Portsmouth 1–1 Southampton". BBC Sport. 18 December 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
27. "Ward joins Crystal Palace". Portsmouth FC. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012.
28. "Exeter 1–2 Crystal Palace" BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
29. "Crystal Palace 2–3 Watford" BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
30. Fletcher, Paul (27 May 2013). "Crystal Palace 1–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 March 2015.
31. "Crystal Palace 3–1 QPR" BBC Sport. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
32. "Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward signs contract extension to 2018". The Guardian. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
33. "Ward Delighted With Palace Century". Crystal Palace FC. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
34. "Ward Signs New Three-Year Deal". cpfc.co.uk.
35. "Joel Ward extends Palace contract – News". Crystal Palace F.C. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
36. "Joel Ward agrees contract extension – News". 9 June 2023.
37. "Hughes, Schlupp and Ward sign new contracts – BBC Sport". 10 May 2024.
38. "My Story – Joel Ward". faithandfootball.org.uk. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
39. "China Challenge". BBC. 20 May 2005. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012.
40. McLeman, Neil (22 April 2016). "Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward combining faith and football as he eyes FA Cup glory". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
41. "Easter Sunday Interview with Joel Ward". New Life Christian Church. 20 April 2014.
42. "Portsmouth vs Hereford United League Cup 2009/2010". Football-Lineups.
43. "Stevenage vs Portsmouth League Cup 2010/2011". Football-Lineups.
44. "Watford vs Portsmouth The Championship 2010/2011". Football-Lineups.
45. "Leeds United vs Portsmouth The Championship 2010/2011". Football-Lineups.
46. "Joel Ward Crystal Palace profile". CPFC. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
47. "Ward on Glasner's changes and his future". Crystal Palace F.C. 2 April 2024.
48. Joel Ward at Soccerbase
49. McNulty, Phil (21 May 2016). "Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2019.

External links

• Joel Ward profile at Crystal Palace
• Joel Ward profile at AFCB.co.uk
• Joel Ward at Soccerbase