Solihull Moors appoint ex-Wolves, Brighton, Burnley, Stoke, Ipswich, Walsall player Stephen Ward to the board and reveal their plans.
Ward had been the club’s Director of Football, and previous to that, an assistant manager at National League North side Brackley Town.
He undertook a MSC Degree in Sporting Directorship through the Global Institute of Sport while taking on the role of football operations at Solihull.
It was in 2019 when he hung up his boots, ending a 19-year playing career, and as a defender, clocked over 500 senior appearances.
He started out with Bohemians in Ireland before making the switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2007 and then linked up with Premier League side Burnley in 2014.
Following a five-year stint at Turf Moor, Ward then went on to play for Stoke City, Ipswich Town and Walsall, hanging up his boots in 2022.
He also made played 50 times for Republic of Ireland, playing for the national side in Euro 2012 and 2016 finals.
Andy Whing’s Solihull side currently sit 4th in the National League, with 34 points from 18 games.
Solihull Moors is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Ward to the Board of Solihull Moors.
🟡🔵 | #SMFC
— Solihull Moors FC (@SolihullMoors) November 8, 2023
STATEMENT:
Solihull Moors is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Ward to the Board of Solihull Moors.
Stephen joined Moors in July 2023 as Director of Football after an illustrious playing career which included 50 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Since July, alongside Head Coach, Andy Whing, he has overseen renewed levels of professionalism at the club based on a dynamic team based culture and has bought in wholeheartedly to the Moors vision to be a best in class community club as well as achieving success in the pitch.
On his appointment Stephen said
“Since joining the club as Director of Football back in July I’ve absolutely loved working and becoming a member of the Moors family. It’s with huge honour and privilege that I have been asked to become a board member. I’m delighted to accept that position and thank Darryl for his belief in me.
I’m looking forward to my continued work with the Owner, fellow Directors, Head Coach, Players, and Staff connected to the club. The whole idea is to make sure Solihull Moors Fc continues to progress over the next few years with the vision of making it into to Football League.
Furthermore, one of our goals as a club is to be a best in community club and its key for us to continue building that connection through the great work carried out by the foundation.
Once again, I’m delighted to be joining the board and look forward to the hard work ahead with the aim to achieve success both on and off the pitch”.
Chairman, Darryl Eales added;
“Wardy has been a breath of fresh air since he arrived at the club and is a pleasure to work with.
His enthusiasm, work ethic and drive for the highest standards based on team culture and individual responsibility fit naturally with our vision and ambition for Moors and it is a pleasure to welcome him to the Board.”
When he was made Director of Football in June 2023, he said: “I was firstly very impressed by him and his vision for the Club, along with the clear ambition to progress and achieve Football League status.
“I was impressed by the set up both at the stadium and the training ground in Studley, as well as the Club’s ambition to be the best both on and off the pitch.
“The Club’s desire to be a first in class Community Club is one which resonates with me, as does its continuing aim to connect with the Community.
“I hope to further this by strengthening the existing ties we have with Midlands based sides at both a professional and grass roots level.
“The Club has established a viable pathway to its First Team through the Elite Academy whose success is no more apparent than by several of its graduates making their professional debuts last season.
“I will use the knowledge that I have gained through my 20-year career, playing at the top level to help the Club move forward in its aspirations both on and off the pitch.”
Moors Chairman, Darryl Eales, also said at the time: “…we are fortunate to have an individual of his calibre” and that “his appointment is part of our programme of continuous improvement and he will oversee all our football activities.”
“He buys in to Moors community club mentality and our ambition to try and achieve Football League status.
“Stephen will bring the highest standards of professionalism and work ethic to the club. His appointment compliments our extra investment in recruitment, led by Joe Taylor, our launching of our Young Player Programme and our desire to develop an excellent pathway for home grown players and our plan to develop much closer relationships with local clubs.
“Stephen is intelligent, articulate, well connected and well liked in the game and I look forward immensely to working with him.”
Social media users reacted as Solihull appoint the ex-Wolves, Brighton, Burnley, Stoke, Ipswich, Walsall player to the board…
@SimonGray1976: A great appointment, knowledgable and approachable guy 🟡🔵💪🏻
NonLeagueLook: Massive news for Solihull Moors supporters this lunch-time. Stephen Ward has played a major role both as a player and as the club’s director of football since arriving in the summer. Is this the start of a very special period of time for Solihull Moors!? #SMFC 🟡🔵
@ewan_smfc: Was sat near him in the Alfreton game pre-season. Seems so knowledgeable about the game
@thegoalzone: Congratulations Stephen
Rob Mills: Well in Wardy! 👏🏻👊🏻
Simon Gray: A great appointment, knowledgable and approachable guy 🟡🔵💪🏻
Lynsey Astbury: Congratulations 💛💙
Gary Armstrong: Congratulations Stephen
Dave Conroy: Top guy is Wardy, being a Rep of Ireland fan I was delighted to meet him in pre-season and the second time I saw him he remembered me 🙂 He is a fantastic asset to the club and I wish him all the best 🟡🔵🟡🔵🇮🇪
Neil Warner: Superb stuff Wardy is a top top guy
@jonathanmroden: Great appointment, well done Wardy 👍 #UpTheMoors
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