Ex-Files: Gavin Ward
Sutton Coldfield born Gavin Ward began his career as a professional back in the eighties when Duran Duran where in the charts and legwarmers were all the rave. Like the latter, Ward was used to keep something warm - the substitute's bench. Two years after becoming a professional, Ward managed to break into a first team after failing to appear for Aston Villa, Shrewsbury and West Bromwich Albion.
Welsh outfit Cardiff City were the first club to give the 6ft 3" stopper a chance in the first team where he went on to make over 60 appearances in just over three years at the club before moving to Leicester City for £175,000. This transfer seemed to spark Ward becoming somewhat of a journeyman as he went on to appear for eight clubs in 11 years including Bolton Wanderers and fierce rivals Burnley before finally joining Preston in 2004.
As was the case at the beginning of his career, Ward was used as back up this time to Carlo Nash and Andrew Lonergan and so as a result, only made 7 appearances for the club. His debut came when he was brought on to replace the injured Andrew Lonergan at Loftus Road on 19th October 2004. North End went on to win the match 2-1, and with Santos' goal coming before Ward came on, he managed to keep a clean sheet too. Due to a goalkeeping crisis, Ward retained his place for the following 6 games before the signing of Carlo Nash saw him return to the dugout.
After departing Deepdale in 2006, Ward signed a one year contract with Tranmere Rovers where he made 41 league and cup appearances and even got himself on the score sheet. His first goal of his career came in the 3-0 win over Leyton Orient on 2nd September 2006 where, after just 9 minutes on the clock, Ward over hit a ball up field and inadvertently lobbed his opposing number, giving Tranmere a 1-0 lead - much to his delight.
After his one year was up at Tranmere, Ward was released and joined Chester City. Hoping for a nice farewell to the Prenton Park faithful, Ward was sent off in his final game after just 21 minutes played.
Seeing as though Chester City was not the place to find first team football, Ward moved to Wrexham in January 2008 where he made 22 appearances for the Welsh outfit in what became their last season in the football league as they were relegated to the Conference.
Ward is still at Wrexham who will now face a tough battle if they are to return to the football league at the first time of asking.