Former Ireland international Stephen Ward has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36 with immediate effect.
The versatile defender, who played in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley, has decided to step aside after helping Walsall to League Two survival.
He made 50 appearances for his country and scored three times, as well as competing at the European Championships in 2012 and 2016.
Portmarnock native Ward played for Wolves, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Stoke City, Ipswich Town and Walsall over a 15-year career in England.
“I have decided to retire now as I feel my body is telling me it’s time to stop playing,” Ward said in a statement on the Saddlers’ website.
“I have really enjoyed my last season as a professional at Walsall and I am grateful to both Matt Taylor and Michael Flynn for how they have handled my last season.
“I want to thank all the players, staff, the Chairman and the fans for making it a very special year for me.
“Unfortunately we didn’t achieve what we wanted to on the pitch but I felt after securing our status in the league last Friday, it was a perfect time to stop.
“[It’ll] let the manager and lads finish the season strong and set them up for next season which I have no doubt will be a massive success.
“I have lived every kid’s dream. It is with a heavy heart that I have come to this decision but I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life. Thanks again, Wardy.”
Ward came through the ranks with local club Porto and Home Farm before joining Bohemians as a 17-year-old.
He spent three years with the Gypsies, primarily as a striker, before catching the eye of former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, then manager of Wolves.
Ward made the move to the West Midlands for a six-figure fee and, after being switched to left back, helped Wolves to promotion to the Premier League as champions in 2009.
He spent three years in the Premier League with Wolves and, following their relegation, spent time on loan at Brighton before joining Burnley.
Ward spent five years at Burnley, four of them in the Premier League, before moving to Stoke in 2019 before spending a year each with Ipswich and Walsall.
“I knew he was a very, very good professional, looking after himself and his approach to the game,” Sean Dyche, who signed Ward for Burnley, told this writer.
“We want quality players and technical players but we also want players with the right make-up and he certainly has.
“He’s got that mixture of being good around the place and well-liked in the group and the inner strength, which all players need. But a pleasant vulnerability, a care and attention to it.
“He’s got a softness in the centre so he knows to be professional, he knows to take care of himself and he knows not to take things for granted.”
