An Interview with Stephen Ward

From an FAI cup tie against Skerries Town at the young age of 17 to playing against some of football’s biggest names in the Premiership, Stephen Ward has certainly come a long way. The striker-turned-left-back has pinned down a starting place in the Wolves team and despite a current injury things couldn’t be going better for the 24-year-old.

“It seems like a long time ago now and I think I've grown up a lot since then. I really enjoyed my time at Bohs and without my time there I don't think I would have adapted to the way things are over here. That night against Skerries was the start of my career really,” explained Ward.

Ward signed for Wolves from Bohemians in January 2007 and since then has made an immediate impact in Wolverhampton, and even scored three goals in his first six games in the Championship.

“I started well, it’s always good to start well at a new club. I’ve gone from being a striker to a left-back now but things happen in football. I played about 38 out of 42 games at left-back last season and I really enjoyed it. You know if the manger is picking you to play in a certain position then you are doing something right.”

Ward still holds boyhood club Bohs close to his heart and regularly keeps up to date with how their getting on. “I try to keep up with their results and I try get over to an odd game in the summer. I still have many friends there and it’s always nice to see your old club doing well. I was delighted to see them do the double last season, it’s just a shame we couldn't do it when I was there. Pat Fenlon is doing a wonderful job there."

After a bright start to life in the Premiership for Wolves, it is unfortunate for Ward that he is currently ruled out of action with a knee injury. “At the moment I’m not looking too far ahead as I’ve just had an operation on my knee.”

But before his injury, Ward got the chance to play against money-bags Manchester City at Eastlands, a game which Wolves unluckily lost 1-0.

“The third game of the season we went to play Man City away. Everyone knows the players they’ve got and I have to say it was a great experience. I know we lost the game but I thought we could have nicked at least a point. We hit the bar in the last ten minutes and had plenty of chances throughout the game.”

Wolves currently lie in the bottom-half of the Premiership with just one win from their opening ten games but Ward believes they have every chance of staying up: “I’ve no doubt we can. With the squad we have here we’re definitely capable. I think people that have seen our games know how well we’ve done and I think we’re unlucky not to have a few more points.”

With rumours of an international call-up before his unfortunate knee injury, Ward admits he is disappointed not to have been given the chance to represent his country yet.

“Last season I thought I did quite well and might have been in with a sniff for one or two games but it’s not my decision to make. It’s a hard squad to break into because they are doing so well but I hope I get the chance some day.”

Ward continued: “To play for your county would be a great honour. If you’re playing in the Premiership week in week out, against top quality players you give yourself every chance of getting a call-up.”