Full name Paul Terence Ward 1985–1988 Darlington Playing position Name Paul Ward | Years Team Role Footballer 1982–1985 Middlesbrough Position Midfielder | |
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Date of birth (1963-09-15) 15 September 1963 (age 52) Current team Staveley Miners Welfare F.C. | ||
Paul Ward is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, making over 300 career appearances. He is currently the assistant manager of Staveley Miners Welfare.
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Career
Ward played for Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe United, and Lincoln City, before playing non-league football for Gainsborough Trinity.
His first experience as a manager was when he was asked to take over Darlington for the last 13 matches of their Division 3 relegation season. He was the youngest ever manager of a Football League club but reverted to playing duties after the end of the season.
In August 2002 he commenced a second spell as manager of Hatfield Main. He steered the club to the verge of promotion to the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East Football League before a late loss of form saw them finish in fifth place and then resign from the league due to financial problems. Ward departed to become joint manager, with Des Bennett, of Armthorpe Welfare.
In August 2013 he was appointed first team coach at Retford United, rising to the role of manager in June 2014. However, following a run of ten league games which saw the club pick up only seven out of a possible 30 points and culminating in a 6-1 defeat at Garforth Town on 17 January 2015, he parted company with the club. On 5 May 2015 he joined Staveley Miners Welfare as assistant manager to the newly appointed manager Brett Marshall.
Career outside of football
Ward owns and runs the Body Blitz Health and Fitness club on Sheep Dip Lane Dunscroft, Doncaster. He opened the club following his retirement from professional football in 1994.