Bristol Rovers prospect Jed Ward has shown himself to be the "ultimate professional" and a "very good up-and-coming goalkeeper" while out on loan, according to Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson.
The Crusaders manager has had the 19-year-old in his squad for the majority of the season, with Ward performing well between the posts as they try to avoid relegation from the National League South.
Hungerford occupy the final relegation place with eight games to play, sitting four points from safety with a game in hand, but they have the best defensive record of all their immediate rivals and Ward has certainly played his part in an improved run of form in 2023.
Ward has made 23 starts for Robinson's side, conceding 29 goals and keeping seven clean sheets and his manager has been impressed by his attitude and development at Bulpit Lane.
"He’s just got better and better," Robinson told Bristol Live. "He’s been fantastic in the changing room for such a young man and he is the ultimate professional. I can see he’s going to have a very bright future in the game, most definitely. Rovers definitely have a jewel there, a very good up-and-coming goalkeeper."
Ward made his senior debut for the Gas as an 18-year-old on the final day of the 2020/21 campaign as the Gas were relegated to League Two, and he made three EFL Trophy appearances the following season, when he also got loan experience in non-league with Swindon Supermarine and Prescot Cables.
This year has brought a step up in level and a more intense examination from opposition teams, but Robinson says the teenager has stood up to the physical test well, although he did highlight another area of his game that requires improvement.
"The majority of the time, he deals with it (the physicality) very well," Robinson said. "In non-league football, the majority of goalkeepers are very good at shot-stopping and good talkers. It’s the crosses and getting battered by a grizzly centre-forward or a big centre-half, and that is one thing he has got better at.
"I had a question mark over the command of his area and his six-yard box, but as time has gone on, he has got better and better.
"I think he knows his kicking has to improve from dead balls. Out of his hands, it’s exemplary, but from dead ball situations, it needs to improve. But other than that, if he keeps on progressing and working hard, I’m sure he’s going to make a very good career in football."
Ward is under contract with the Gas until 2024, with an option of a further year, after signing a new contract in October, with high hopes for his future. Rovers have been keeping a very close eye on him while out on loan, with head of goalkeeping David Coles regularly attending his games and reporting back to Gas manager Joey Barton and his coaching staff.
Robinson says he has been impressed by Ward's mentality, which has seen him deliver crucial contributions in big moments.
"It’s all part of the loan process for a young lad that they get put in situations where they have to be strong mentally, and he has been very strong," the Hungerford boss continued.
"He has pulled off key moments and key saves, especially since the turn of the year when our form has got a lot better. He has pulled off some vital saves at vital times for us; down at Weymouth, we were 2-1 up and he pulled off a great save, tipping it onto the post and we went on to win the game.
"He has definitely got the strong mentality for a young man and I’m sure that will stand him in good stead."
As for the next steps, Robinson – a vastly experienced non-league manager who won the FA Vase at Wembley when in charge of Thatcham Town – stresses the importance of not rushing players through the levels.
"I would love to keep Jed for as long as possible because he is a very good keeper at National League South level," he said. "Step One is a different animal completely and utterly, so I would have a question mark whether he could thrive at that level at this precise moment in time because the gulf in class between the levels is huge.
"But he has got better and better and if he does get the opportunity to go to a Step One club, I’m sure he can do it but it might be a little too far, but with his strong mentality and given time, he will get better."
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