Noel Ward

Noel Gerard Ward (born 8 December 1952) is a Northern Irish former footballer who played as a defender.

Noel Ward
Personal information
Full name Noel Gerard Ward[1]
Date of birth (1952-12-08) 8 December 1952
Place of birth Donemana, Northern Ireland
Playing position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Derry City
1972–1974 Portadown
1974–1976 Aberdeen 7 (0)
1976–1980 Wigan Athletic 134 (11)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Born in Donemana, County Tyrone, Ward started his career at Derry City, helping the club reach the final of the 1970–71 Irish Cup, but were ultimately defeated 3-0 by Distillery. Following Derry's withdrawal from the Irish league, Ward moved to Portadown in 1972. He played in the 1972–73 Gold Cup final, which Portadown lost 2–0 against Linfield.

Ward joined Aberdeen in 1974, but made only seven first team appearances in two seasons for the club. He signed for Wigan Athletic in 1976, making over 100 appearances for the club, and helping Wigan gain election to the Football League in 1978. In 1979, Ward broke his leg in a match against Portsmouth, an injury which prematurely ended his career.[2] In 1982, he was awarded a testimonial match by Wigan, which was played against Chelsea.[3]

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aberdeen 1974–75[4] Division One 5000000050
1975–76[4] Premier Division 2000000020
Total 7000000070
Wigan Athletic 1976–77[3] Northern Premier League 422422
1977–78[3] Northern Premier League 445445
1978–79[5] Fourth Division 444202000484
1979–80[5] Fourth Division 4000200060
Total 1341120400014011
Career total 50919820103516219585233

References
  1. "Noel Ward". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  2. Struthers, Greg (26 February 2006). "Caught in Time: Wigan win election to the Football League, 1978". The Times. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  3. Hayes, Dean (1996). The Latics: The Official History of Wigan Athletic F.C. Harefield: Yore Publications. ISBN 978-1-874427-91-9.
  4. "Player Profile - Noel Ward". Aberdeen Football Club Heritage. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  5. Noel Ward at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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