Nick Ward (soccer, born 1985)
{{Short description|Australian soccer player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nick Ward
| image =
| fullname = Nicholas Andrew Ward
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|3|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = Perth, Western Australia
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| position = Attacking midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Olympic Kingsway
| youthyears2 = 2000–2002 |youthclubs2 = ECU Joondalup
| youthyears3 = 2003 |youthclubs3 = AIS
| years1 = 2003–2004 |clubs1 = Perth Glory |caps1 = 2 |goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2004 |clubs2 = Stirling Lions |caps2 = 7 |goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2005–2006 |clubs3 = Perth Glory |caps3 = 21 |goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2006–2007 |clubs4 = Queens Park Rangers |caps4 = 20 |goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2007 |clubs5 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)|caps5 = 8 |goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2007–2010 |clubs6 = Melbourne Victory |caps6 = 46 |goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2010–2011 |clubs7 = Wellington Phoenix |caps7 = 24 |goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2011 |clubs8 = Iraklis |caps8 = 0 |goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2011–2012 |clubs9 = Wellington Phoenix |caps9 = 22 |goals9 = 2
| years10 = 2012–2013 |clubs10 = Perth Glory |caps10 = 23 |goals10 = 2
| years11 = 2013–2014 |clubs11 = Newcastle Jets |caps11 = 6 |goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2015 |clubs12 = Western Sydney Wanderers |caps12 = 1 |goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2017–2018 |clubs13 = Bentleigh Greens|caps13=0 |goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2018–2019 |clubs14 = NEROCA|caps14=2 |goals14 = 0
| years15 = 2018–2019 |clubs15 = Pascoe Vale|caps15=6 |goals15 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005 |nationalteam1 = Australia U-20 |nationalcaps1 = 16 |nationalgoals1 = 4
| nationalyears2 = 2006–2008 |nationalteam2 = Australia U-23 |nationalcaps2 = 16 |nationalgoals2 = 2
| pcupdate = 30 September 2019
| ntupdate = 19 November 2010
}}
Nick Ward (born 24 March 1985) is an Australian football (soccer) player, who plays as a midfielder for Pascoe Vale FC in the National Premier League.
Club career
His efforts in the inaugural A-League season of 2005–06 resulted in him becoming the first player to win the A-League's Rising Star Award with Perth Glory, along with also winning the Perth Supporter's Player of the Year, and also the Smokefree WA Coach's Award.{{cite web | title=Despotovski wins MGP Award | work=a-league.com | url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3645 | access-date=9 August 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902053840/http://a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3645 | archive-date=2 September 2006}}
Following the end of the first A-League season, Nick Ward had trials with Leicester City and Brentford however, much to the disappointment of Football Federation Australia,{{cite news | title=Midfielder Ward seals move to QPR | work=bbc.co.uk | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/5119900.stm | access-date=9 August 2006 | date=8 July 2006}} he joined Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship prior to the 2006–07 season.
On 31 January 2007, the last day of the transfer window, Ward joined Brighton on loan for the remainder of the 2006–07 season. On 17 February 2007, Ward scored his first goal for the Albion in their 2–1 home win over Nottingham Forest before returning to Queens Park Rangers.
On 4 December 2007, Ward's contract with Queens Park Rangers was terminated by mutual consent. He joined Melbourne Victory before further signing on as the Victory's youth marquee in a two-year deal. On 11 January 2008, Ward scored his first goal for the Melbourne Victory in their 3–0 home win over Wellington Phoenix.
On 1 September 2010, it was announced that Ward had signed with the Wellington Phoenix for the remainder of the 2010/11 A-League season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=35050 |title=Ward bolsters Phoenix midfield |access-date=31 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909110918/http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=35050 |archive-date=9 September 2010 |url-status=dead}} On 11 September 2010, against Sydney FC, he scored his only goal for the Phoenix, a wonderful shot into the top right hand corner from outside the 18-yard box.{{cite web|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=35260|title=Phoenix edge hapless Sydney FC|last=Stoney|first=Emma|date=11 September 2010|publisher=A-League|access-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225193518/http://a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=35260|archive-date=25 February 2011}} Following the season, Ward was released from the Phoenix.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefootballsack.com/2011/06/hyundai-league-transfers-20112011.html|title=Hyundai A-League transfers 2011/2011|last=Layland|first=Christian|date=29 June 2011|publisher=The Football Sack|access-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803093100/http://www.thefootballsack.com/2011/06/hyundai-league-transfers-20112011.html|archive-date=3 August 2011}} Months after joining Iraklis Thessaloniki, Ward returned to the Wellington Phoenix after the Greek team was relegated to the amateur divisions. Ward said, "I am delighted Ricki wanted me back and everything has fallen into place.{{cite news|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=41219|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717140731/http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=41219|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2012|title=Nick Ward Back And Raring To Go|date=3 October 2011|publisher=a-league.co.au|access-date=3 October 2011}}
Ward rejoined Perth Glory for the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League Season, scoring his first goal since returning in the club's 3–2 win over the Newcastle Jets on 3 November 2012. He scored his second goal for the club against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the 87th minute, which finished in a 1–1 draw.
Ward, along with teammates Evan Berger, Dean Heffernan and Lewis Italiano were released by the Glory at the end of the 2012–13 A-League season.{{Cite web |url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/268664,stars-exit-as-clubs-swing-axe.aspx |title=Stars exit as clubs swing axe - Australia News - Australian FourFourTwo - the Ultimate Football Website |access-date=11 April 2013 |archive-date=14 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414061029/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/268664,stars-exit-as-clubs-swing-axe.aspx |url-status=dead }} Ward unsuccessfully played a trial game for the Western Sydney Wanderers during the 2013–14 pre-season.
Ward signed with Newcastle Jets as injury cover at the end of December 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Ward-joins-Jets-as-injury-cover/81489|title=Ward joins Jets as injury cover|date=23 December 2013|publisher=Football Federation Australia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224094725/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastlejets/news-display/Ward-joins-Jets-as-injury-cover/81489|archive-date=24 December 2013}}
On 28 February 2015, Ward signed with Western Sydney Wanderers, making his debut in a 3–0 loss to Melbourne Victory, and unfortunately for Ward, suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear.{{cite web|title=Ins & Outs confirmed for Sydney Derby|date=28 February 2015|url=http://www.wswanderersfc.com.au/article/changes-to-a-league-squad/14i8iqmta45561epsgasp88ms1|publisher=wswanderersfc.com.au|access-date=28 February 2015}}
Ward returned to football in June 2017, signing with National Premier Leagues Victoria side Bentleigh Greens.{{cite news|url=http://www.cornerflag.com.au/greens-capture-former-league-midfielder-ward/|title=Greens capture former A-League midfielder Ward|publisher=CornerFlag.com.au|date=7 June 2017|access-date=12 June 2017}}
In 2018, he moved to Indian I-League side NEROCA,{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/i-league-2017-18-neroca-akhlidin-israilov-nick-ward/1tptne9dd1lkn1pbtjs6hm1eyl|title=I-League 2017-18: NEROCA release Akhlidin Israilov, set to sign Australian Nick Ward|website=goal.com|publisher=Goal|date=9 February 2018|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031170034/https://www.goal.com/en/amp/news/i-league-2017-18-neroca-akhlidin-israilov-nick-ward/1tptne9dd1lkn1pbtjs6hm1eyl|archive-date=31 October 2021}} and appeared in two league matches.
International career
After his season had concluded with Perth Glory, Ward was selected by Australia in an extended squad for its opening Asian Cup qualifier with Bahrain.{{cite web | title=Local players boosted | work=a-league.com | url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3326 | access-date=9 August 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904021024/http://a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3326 | archive-date=4 September 2006}} Ward was named on the bench, but did not play on the field.
In December 2006 the then Socceroos manager Graham Arnold believed that Ward (lacking game time under the management of Queens Park Rangers at the time) should be playing continental European competitions (e.g. Belgium, Netherlands), where there was (in Arnold's opinion) better ball delivery and midfield play than in the English Championship.{{cite web
|url = http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=21710
|title = Arnold: QPR not the club for Ward
|publisher = Tribal Football
|access-date = 2006-12-15
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008140606/http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=21710
|archive-date = 8 October 2007}} Those comments could be interpreted as a preliminary reason not to select Ward in forthcoming Socceroos friendlies at the time. Ward's absence from more recent squads could be attributed to his lack playing minutes at Melbourne Victory (due to injuries and club coach Ernie Merrick's preference for more experienced players in his positions) and the success of other similar young players in transitioning their career to European clubs (including Nick Carle, Dario Vidosic, Nikita Rukavytsya and Brett Holman).
His exclusion from the Olyroos squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics was a major disappointment{{cite web
| url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/92698,victorys-ward-chases-dream-year.aspx
| title=Victory's Ward Chases Dream Year
| publisher=Australian Four Four Two
| access-date=2009-01-13 }} especially after being a regular squad member under coach Rob Baan in Australia's qualification path.
Club career statistics
| border=1 align=center cellpadding=4 cellspacing=2 style="background: ivory; font-size: 95%; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; clear:center"
|+ All-Time Club Performances |
| style="background:beige"
!rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"| A-League !colspan="2"|Finals Series !colspan="2"|Asia !colspan="2"|Total |
| style="background:beige"
!App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals |
| rowspan="4" align=center valign=center|Perth Glory (A-League) |align="center"|2003–04 |align="center"|2 |align="center"|0 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|2 |align="center"|0 |
| align="center"|2005–06
|align="center"|21 |align="center"|5 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|21 |align="center"|5 |
| align="center"|2012–13
|align="center"|4 |align="center"|2 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|4 |align="center"|2 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon"
! colspan="1" align="left"| Club Total !! 27 !! 7 !! !! !! !! !! 27 !! 7 |
| style="background:beige"
!rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"| Championship !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Total |
| style="background:beige"
!App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals |
| rowspan="3" align=center valign=center|Queens Park Rangers (Football League Championship) |align="center"|2006–07 |align="center"|19 |align="center"|1 |align="center"|1 |align="center"|0 |align="center"|1 |align="center"|0 |align="center"|21 |align="center"|1 |
| align="center"|2007–08
|align="center"|1 |align="center"|0 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|1 |align="center"|0 |align="center"|2 |align="center"|0 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon"
! colspan="1" align="left"| Club Total !! 20 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 2 !! 0 !! 23 !! 1 |
| style="background:beige"
!rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"| League One !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Total |
| style="background:beige"
!App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals |
| rowspan="2" align=center valign=center|Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. (Football League One) (on loan from Queens park Rangers) |align="center"|2006–07 |align="center"|8 |align="center"|1 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|8 |align="center"|1 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon"
! colspan="1" align="left"| Club Total !! 8 !! 1 !! !! !! !! !! 8 !! 1 |
| style="background:beige"
!rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"| A-League !colspan="2"|Finals Series !colspan="2"|Asia !colspan="2"|Total |
| style="background:beige"
!App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals |
| rowspan="5" align=center valign=center|Melbourne Victory (A-League) |align="center"|2007–08 |align="center"|5 |align="center"|1 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|5 |align="center"|1 |
| align="center"|2008–09
|align="center"|15 |align="center"|2 |align="center"|3 |align="center"|0 |align="center"|? |align="center"|? |align="center"|18 |align="center"|2 |
| align="center"|2009–10
|align="center"|19 |align="center"|2 |align="center"|3 |align="center"|0 |align="center"|? |align="center"|? |align="center"|22 |align="center"|2 |
| align="center"|2010–11
|align="center"|1 |align="center"|0 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|1 |align="center"|0 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon"
! colspan="1" align="left"| Club Total !! 40 !! 5 !! 6 !! 0 !! !! !! 46 !! 5 |
| style="background:beige"
!rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"| A-League !colspan="2"|Finals Series !colspan="2"|Asia !colspan="2"|Total |
| style="background:beige"
!App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals |
| rowspan="3" align=center valign=center|Wellington Phoenix (A-League) |align="center"|2010–11 |align="center"|23 |align="center"|1 |align="center"|1 |align="center"|0 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|24 |align="center"|1 |
| align="center"|2011–12
|align="center"|18 |align="center"|2 |align="center"|0 |align="center"|0 |align="center"| |align="center"| |align="center"|18 |align="center"|2 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon"
! colspan="1" align="left"| Club Total !! 41 !! 3 !! 1 !! 0 !! !! !! 42 !! 3 |
| style="background:beige" colspan="2" align="left" |Career totals
! align=center style="background:beige"| ! align=center style="background:beige"| ! align=center style="background:beige"| ! align=center style="background:beige"| ! align=center style="background:beige"| ! align=center style="background:beige"| ! align=center style="background:beige"| ! align=center style="background:beige"| |
|---|
| colspan="12"|Last updated 8 March 2012 |
Honours
Melbourne Victory
Perth Glory
- NSL Championship: 2003–04
Individual
- A-League Young Player of the Year: 2005–06
- Perth Glory Member's Player of the Year: 2005–06
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110431/http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/default.aspx?s=mvfc_playerprofile_item&pid=383 Melbourne Victory profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110527200410/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/MensU23/default.aspx?s=aus_u23men_player_profile&pid=383&tid=112 FFA – Olyroo profile]
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box|title=Hyundai A-League
Young Player of the Year Award|before=Alex Brosque|after=Adrian Leijer|years=2005–06}}
{{s-end}}
{{A-League Young Footballer of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Nick}}
Category:Soccer players from Perth, Western Australia
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:English Football League players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Melbourne Victory FC players
Category:Perth Glory FC players
Category:Wellington Phoenix FC players
Category:Western Sydney Wanderers FC players
Category:Newcastle Jets FC players
Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
Category:Bentleigh Greens SC players
Category:National Soccer League (Australia) players
Category:Articles containing video clips
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Stirling Macedonia FC players