Former footballers Stephen Ward and Kieron Dyer secure new roles at National League clubs in preparation of the 2023/24 season.
We begin with Dyer, who on Sunday, was appointed by Chesterfield to their coaching staff.
The 44 year old spent with the Spireites last season working in a consultancy capacity and previous to that, was head of under-23s at Ipswich, before leaving in March 2022.
Chesterfield missed out on promotion to the National League playoff final last season, losing on penalties to Notts County, with Dyer saying he was “excited” to try to help the Spireites win promotion back to the English Football League.
“I came in for the last two months of the season just to give the lads a different voice,” Dyer told the Chesterfield club website.
“It seemed to go really well, but I have unfinished business. I think all the staff have unfinished business, as do the players. I’m really excited for the coming season.”
Cook said in an interview with 1866 Sport, as per Derbyshire Times: “He loves football, he really studies the game. He loves working with players individually and collectively.
“I feel the addition of Kieron will help us both at the top level which is the Saturday games and the day-to-day stuff and also Monday-Friday which is on the training ground, which people don’t see.
“I am delighted with Kieron, I am delighted with all the staff.”
There has also been some changes elsewhere, with Solihull Moors announcing that boss Neal Ardley has left the club ‘by mutual consent with immediate effect.’
He guided the club to the National League playoff final back in 2022, losing to Grimsby Town, and last season they ended the campaign in 15th.
While there is no news on his replacement as of yet, Solihull have confirmed that Stephen Watford has been appointed as Director of Football.
CLUB STATEMENT:
Solihull Moors is delighted to announce that former Republic Ireland international Stephen Ward has joined the club as Director of Football with immediate effect.
Ward was most recently assistant manager at National League North side Brackley Town and he will now be looking after football operations at the ARMCO Arena.
The 37-year-old is currently undertaking a MSC Degree in Sporting Directorship through the Global Institute of Sport.
On the pitch, during a 19-year playing career, the defender clocked over 500 senior appearances.
He started out with Bohemians in Ireland before making the switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2007 and then signing for 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.
Ward also made an impressive 50 appearances for Republic of Ireland, playing for the national side in Euro 2012 and 2016 finals.
Solihull Moors is delighted to announce that former Republic Ireland international Stephen Ward has joined the club as Director of Football with immediate effect.
— Solihull Moors FC (@SolihullMoors) June 26, 2023
“First of all, I am delighted to be here and get started in the role at Moors,” said Ward on his move to Moors.
“After meeting the Chairman, 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, spoke of his delight in appointing Ward.
“I’m delighted to welcome Stephen to Moors and believe we are fortunate to have an individual of his calibre in the newly created role of Director of Football, “ said Eales.
“Alongside Stephen, we will appoint a Head Coach in the near future and, in the interim, James Quinn will welcome the players back to pre-season training.
“Stephen’s 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.”
Welcome to Moors, Stephen!
Here’s what fans had to say as Stephen Ward and Kieron Dyer secure new roles at National League clubs…
ON WARD:
@VitalWalsall: All the best Wardy
@Jimbokav1971: No wonder Neil Ardley left. #NationalLeague
@kingsmithy7: Bit random
@_AlanLeese: All the very best Stephen 👍🏻.
@NebUtd18: Baffling
@JordHunt98: What 🤣
@JSS_1311: The man of many positions, and now job roles 🐐
ON DYER:
@cfc_fred_: Brilliant news
@Battssba: Ipswich lad done good. Go get em ba!
@tractor_girl99: Best of Luck Kieron you fully deserve it looking forward to welcoming you to Stonebridge Road next season
@Thefarmerpiles: Gd luck Kieron 👏
@LeadfootedLion: Nice one! Welcome, Kieron!
@James_Poxon96: Will Griggs on fire and he’s shagging Kieron Dyer
@csdoogz21: Chesterfield doing some big things 😳👏🏻
@towen_uppa: Go on KD 👊🏼💙 #itfc
@gormdave: Good news for the club and for KD
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