Grant Ward
Grant playing for Ipswich Town in 2016
Personal information
Full name Grant Anthony Ward[1]
Date of birth (1994-12-05) 5 December 1994[2]
Place of birth Lewisham, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Bristol Rovers
Number 8
Youth career
2011–2014 Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2016 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
2014 → Chicago Fire (loan) 23 (1)
2015 → Coventry City (loan) 11 (0)
2015–2016 → Rotherham United (loan) 40 (2)
2016–2019 Ipswich Town 94 (8)
2019–2022 Blackpool 45 (1)
2022–2023 Blackpool 2 (0)
2023– Bristol Rovers 33 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:53, 29 November 2023 (UTC)

Grant Anthony Ward (born 5 December 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bristol Rovers. He has previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, Chicago Fire, Coventry City, Rotherham United, Ipswich Town and Blackpool.

Club career

Tottenham Hotspur

Ward signed with the Tottenham Hotspur Academy in 2011. During his time at Spurs, he progressed through the club's youth system. He appeared for their Under-18 side during the 2011–2012 season, scoring 3 goals in 16 starts and 10 substitute appearances during the season, as well as featuring in 3 FA Youth Cup matches. He continued to feature for the club's under-18 team during the 2012–13 season, making 17 appearances in the U18 Premier League, while also making 3 appearances in the FA Youth Cup and featuring twice in the 2012–13 NextGen Series.[3]

Chicago Fire (loan)

On 22 March 2014 Ward signed on loan with Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.[4] Ward's debut was delayed due to his injury on metatarsal that kept him out for months[5] It took until 25 May 2014, where he came on as a substitute for Dilly Duka in the 61st minute, as Chicago Fire beat Columbus Crew 2–0.[6] Ward's loan spell with Chicago Fire was extended until the end of the season.[7] Ward scored his first Chicago Fire goal on 24 July 2014, in a 5–1 loss against San Jose Earthquakes.[8] In the last game of the season, Ward then provided two assists, in a 2–1 win over Houston Dynamo.[9] Following the end of the 2014 season, the club allowed Ward to make his return to his parent club.[10]

Ward warming-up for Rotherham United in 2016

Coventry City (loan)

On 11 March 2015 Ward began training with League One side Coventry City and it was announced two days later on 13 March 2015 that he had joined them on loan until the end of the season. He was given the number 8 shirt.[11] Ward made his Coventry City debut three days later against Chesterfield, where he assisted Sanmi Odelusi, as his shot was deflected to Odelusi's goal.[12] The match ended with Coventry City winning 3–2.[13] Ward went on to make eleven appearances for the club.

Rotherham United (loan)

At the start of the 2015–16 season, Ward started training with Championship side Rotherham United.[14] Six days later after training, Ward joined Rotherham United on a six-month loan deal on 13 July 2015.[15] Upon joining the club, Ward was given number seventeen shirt ahead of the new season.[16] Ward made his Rotherham United debut, in the opening game of the season, as they lost 4–1 against Milton Keynes Dons.[17] He scored his first goal for the club against Burnley in a 2–1 loss on 2 October 2015.[18] After changing his loan type from initial youth loan to a senior loan to cover for injuries in the squad by Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn,[19] Ward then scored his second goal for the club on 26 December 2015, in a 4–0 win over Bolton Wanderers.[20] After extending his loan spell for the rest of the season,[21] Ward continued to be in the regular first team and helped the club avoid relegation for the second time this season and made forty appearances and scoring two times. For his performance this season, Ward won both the club's Young Player of the Year[22] and Goal of the Year.[23]

Ipswich Town

On 1 August 2016 Ward signed a three-year deal with Football League Championship side Ipswich Town on an undisclosed fee, believed to be £600K.[24] Ward was previously linked with a move back to Rotherham United before opting to join Ipswich Town instead.[25]

On his debut, Ward scored a hat-trick in 39 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute in an opening day 4–2 win over Barnsley at Portman Road.[26] Three weeks later, on 27 August 2016, Ward scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Preston North End.[27] It wasn't until on 26 November 2016 when he scored again, in a 3–0 win over Queens Park Rangers.[28] He made 46 appearances in all competitions during his first season at the club, scoring 6 goals.[29]

Ward continued to be a first-team regular during the 2017–18 season. He scored his first goal of the season on 26 September, netting the final goal in a 5–2 home win over Sunderland.[30] He went on to make 37 appearances over the course of the season, scoring 2 goals.[31]

On 26 December 2018, Ward suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during a 0–3 away loss to Queens Park Rangers, which ruled him out of playing for up to a year. This proved to be his last appearance for the club as he was released at the end of the 2018–19 season, although he remained at the club while he recovered from injury.[32]

Blackpool

On 28 December 2019, Ward joined Blackpool on a free transfer, signing an 18-month contract with the option of an additional year.[33] Grant was released by the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.[34]

Ward appeared as a trialist for Blackpool during a pre-season friendly against Rangers at Bloomfield Road on 16 July 2022, having been on trial with Reading. Blackpool manager Michael Appleton, the successor to Neil Critchley, whose decision it was to release Grant, said: "It’s an opportunity for him to say, 'Right okay. Here’s where I’m at, these are my fitness levels and are you interested? Do you want to sign me?'"[35]

He re-signed for the Seasiders on 21 October 2022, on a three-month contract;[36] he was released on 21 January 2023.[37]

Bristol Rovers

On 27 January 2023, Ward signed for League One club Bristol Rovers.[38] He made his debut the following day as a substitute in a 5–1 defeat at Morecambe.[39] On 10 April 2023, he scored his first goal for the club with the winner in a 2–1 victory over Fleetwood Town, his cross flying over the goalkeeper's head and finding the top corner.[40] Having only signed a short-term contract until the end of the season, he was reportedly receiving interest from other clubs with a new contract offer from Rovers also on the table.[41] He was officially offered a contract at the end of the season.[42]

On 3 June 2023, Ward signed a new two-year contract.[43]

Career statistics

As of match played 6 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tottenham Hotspur
2013–14[44] Premier League 000000—00
2014–15[45] Premier League 000000—00
2015–16[46] Premier League 000000—00
Total 0000000000
Chicago Fire (loan) 2014[47] Major League Soccer 23141——272
Coventry City (loan) 2014–15[48] League One 110000000110
Rotherham United (loan) 2015–16[49] Championship 4021020—432
Ipswich Town 2016–17[29] Championship 4362010—466
2017–18[31] Championship 3720000—372
2018–19[50] Championship 1400010—150
Total 948202000988
Blackpool 2019–20[51] League One 5020000070
2020–21[52] League One 36131104[lower-alpha 1]0442
2021–22[53] Championship 400010—50
2022–23[54] Championship 200000—20
Total 471512040582
Bristol Rovers 2022–23[54] League One 191000000191
2023–24[55] League One 141211000172
Total 332211000363
Career total 24814143704028317
  1. ↑ Three appearances in EFL Trophy, one appearance in EFL League One play-offs

Honours

Blackpool

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of shirt numbers: Blackpool" (PDF). English Football League. p. 9. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Grant Ward". 11v11. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "Grant Ward". tottenhamhotspur.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Chicago Fire sign Tottenham Hotspur youngster Grant Ward on loan". MLSsoccer.com.
  5. ↑ "SOCIAL: Grant Ward updates us on his recovery from metatarsal surgery". Chicago Fire SC. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Match Recap: Columbus Crew 2, Chicago Fire 0". Chicago Fire SC. 24 May 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Chicago Fire Extends Loan On Midfielder Grant Ward". Chicago Fire SC. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Chicago Fire Fall 5–1 To San Jose Earthquakes". Chicago Fire SC. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "RECAP: Chicago Fire beats Houston Dynamo 2–1 on late goal". Chicago Fire SC. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "Chicago Fire Exercise Contract Options On Six Players". Chicago Fire SC. 18 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 November 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Grant loaned to Coventry". tottenhamhotspur.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
  12. ↑ ""I thought I did OK today, I made a few small errors but it's my first game, I'm only going to get better." Coventry City's Grant Ward". Coventry City F.C. 14 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Chesterfield 2–3 Coventry City". BBC Sport. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and Coventry City target Grant Ward training with Rotherham United". Coventry Telegraph. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Millers land Tottenham Hotspur ace". Rotherham United F.C. 13 July 2015. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "Millers announce 15/16 squad numbers". Rotherham United F.C. 29 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Rotherham United 1–4 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Rotherham United 1-2 Burnley". BBC Sport. 2 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Grant staying with Millers". Rotherham United F.C. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  20. ↑ "Rotherham United 4 - 0 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  21. ↑ "Grant Ward stays on loan at Rotherham United from Tottenham Hotspur". Sky Sports. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  22. 1 2 "Grant wins Young Player of the Year award". themillers.co.uk. 3 May 2016.
  23. 1 2 "Grant wins Goal of the Season award". Rotherham United F.C. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  24. ↑ "Grant Ward Joins Town". Ipswich Town F.C. 1 August 2016. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  25. ↑ "Rotherham United: Alan Stubbs looking to continent for new Millers signings". South Yorkshire Times. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  26. ↑ "Ipswich Town 4-2 Barnsley". BBC Sport.
  27. ↑ "Ipswich 1-0 Preston: Ward's strike bags three points". Sky Sports. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  28. ↑ "Ipswich Town 3 - 0 Queens Park Rangers". BBC Sport. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  29. 1 2 "Games played by Grant Ward in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  30. ↑ "Ipswich Town 5 - 2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  31. 1 2 "Games played by Grant Ward in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  32. ↑ "Gerken Included in Released Blues". Ipswich Town Official Website. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  33. ↑ "January Comes Early: Ward Signs!" - Blackpool F.C., 28 December 2019
  34. ↑ "Club Confirms Retained List". www.blackpoolfc.co.uk. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  35. ↑ "Michael Appleton reveals Blackpool's stance on Grant Ward after Rangers outing". www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  36. ↑ FC, Blackpool (21 October 2022). "Ward Signs Short-Term Contract". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  37. ↑ Twitter https://twitter.com/blackpoolfc/status/1616850613010137091. Retrieved 21 January 2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. ↑ "Grant Ward signs for Rovers!". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  39. ↑ "Morecambe 5–1 Bristol Rovers: Joey Barton calls performance 'rude awakening'". BBC Sport. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  40. ↑ "Fleetwood Town 1–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  41. ↑ Jones, Jordan (20 April 2023). "Bristol Rovers face transfer tug-of-war as rival clubs take interest in star". Bristol World. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  42. ↑ "2022/23 Retained and Released List". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  43. ↑ "Rovers Secure Ward Until 2025". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  47. ↑ "Grant Ward at Soccerway". Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  54. 1 2 "Games played by Grant Ward in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Grant Ward in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  56. ↑ "Blackpool 2–1 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
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