Noel Ward

Noel Gerard Ward (born 8 December 1952) is a Northern Irish former footballer who played as a defender.

Noel Ward

Personal information
Full name	Noel Gerard Ward[1]
Date of birth	8 December 1952
Place of birth	Donemana, Northern Ireland
Height	6 ft 2 ^1⁄2 in (1.89 m)[2]
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Derry City
1972–1974	Portadown
1974–1976	Aberdeen	7	(0)
1976–1980	Wigan Athletic	134	(11)
Total		141	(11)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Born in Donemana, County Tyrone, Ward started his career at Derry City, helping the club reach the final of the 1970–71 Irish Cup, but were ultimately defeated 3-0 by Distillery. Following Derry's withdrawal from the Irish league, Ward moved to Portadown in 1972. He played in the 1972–73 Gold Cup final, which Portadown lost 2–0 against Linfield.

Ward joined Aberdeen in 1974, but made only seven first team appearances in two seasons for the club. He signed for Wigan Athletic in 1976, making over 100 appearances for the club, and helping Wigan gain election to the Football League in 1978. In 1979, Ward broke his leg in a match against Portsmouth, an injury which prematurely ended his career.[3] In 1982, he was awarded a testimonial match by Wigan, which was played against Chelsea.[4]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Aberdeen	1974–75[5]	Division One	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	1975–76[5]	Premier Division	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Wigan Athletic	1976–77[4]	Northern Premier League	42	2							42	2
	1977–78[4]	Northern Premier League	44	5							44	5
	1978–79[6]	Fourth Division	44	4	2	0	2	0	0	0	48	4
	1979–80[6]	Fourth Division	4	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	6	0
	Total		134	11	2	0	4	0	0	0	140	11
Career total			509	198	20	10	35	16	21	9	585	233

References

1. "Noel Ward". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
2. Rollin, Jack (1981). Rothmans Football Yearbook: 1981–82. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 380. ISBN 0-362-02046-9. OCLC 868301130.
3. Struthers, Greg (26 February 2006). "Caught in Time: Wigan win election to the Football League, 1978". The Times. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
4. Hayes, Dean (1996). The Latics: The Official History of Wigan Athletic F.C. Harefield: Yore Publications. ISBN 978-1-874427-91-9.
5. "Player Profile - Noel Ward". Aberdeen Football Club Heritage. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
6. Noel Ward at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)

External links

• Profile at NIFG