Joe Ward (footballer, born 1995)

Joseph Henry Ward (born 22 August 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Derby County.

Ward started his career at hometown club Chelmsford City in 2009, making his first-team debut in 2013, and having a loan spell at Stanway Rovers that same year. After trials with several Premier League club in 2015, Ward signed with Brighton & Hove Albion, but failed to break into the first team, and joined Lincoln City on loan in 2017. In June 2017, Ward was released by Brighton and signed with Woking.

Ward joined Peterborough United in January 2018, making his Football League debut in the same month, and helping Peterborough gain promotion to the Championship in 2021. He was named in the League One Team of the Year for the 2021–22 season. After making 232 appearances, Ward left Peterborough in June 2023 and joined fellow League One side Derby County. In his first season for the club he helped the club gain promotion to the Championship.

Chelmsford City
After initially featuring for the Chelmsford City youth sides whilst on a BTEC scholarship scheme, Ward made his debut for the club during their 6–0 home victory over Farnborough in the 2012–13 campaign at the age of 16. On 30 November 2013, Ward scored on his first start for Chelmsford City, once again against Farnborough, in a 3–1 win. On 23 April 2014, Ward scored the goal to save Chelmsford City from relegation from the Conference South in a 1–0 win over Gosport Borough. In his final campaign at Chelmsford, Ward netted eleven times, including six goals during their impressive FA Cup run, in which they reached the fourth qualifying round before being knocked out by Barnet.

In 2013 he spent time on loan with Stanway Rovers, making six league appearances.

Brighton & Hove Albion
Following trials with both West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion in summer 2015, Brighton & Hove Albion signed Ward on a development contract on 3 June 2015.

After failing to break through into the first-team squad, Ward was sent out on loan to National League side Lincoln City on a one-month basis in January 2017. A day later, he made his debut during Lincoln's FA Trophy second-round victory over Gateshead, playing the entire 90 minutes in the 3–1 triumph. In the following round, Ward netted twice during Lincoln's 3–1 away victory against Welling United. Six days later, Ward's loan spell was extended for a further two months following some impressive form, especially in their FA Trophy campaign.

Woking
On 21 June 2017, Ward signed for National League club Woking on a two-year deal following his release from Brighton & Hove Albion.

On the opening day of the 2017–18 campaign, Ward netted in Woking's 2–1 home victory over Gateshead, sealing the winner in the 44th minute. Ward went onto net five more times during their league campaign, including goals against Torquay United, Macclesfield Town, Maidstone United, AFC Fylde and Dover Athletic. Following this impressive form, Ward received his first call-up to the England C squad, in which he featured for 45 minutes during their 4–0 International Challenge Trophy final defeat against Slovakia U23s. During Woking's impressive FA Cup run, Ward netted the Cards' equaliser in their second round tie against League One side Peterborough United.

Peterborough United
On 10 January 2018, Ward joined League One side Peterborough United following his impressive performances against them, on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Three days later, Ward made his debut for Peterborough, as well as his Football League debut, in a 0–0 draw with Wigan Athletic, replacing Michael Doughty in the 68th minute. Following an impressive 2020–21 season, Ward was named in the 2020–21 EFL League One Team of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony.

He was offered a new three-year contract at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Derby County
In June 2023 it was announced that he would sign for Derby County on 1 July 2023, on a three-year contract. Ward made his Derby debut in a 2–1 defeat to Wigan Athletic on 5 August 2023. Ward impressed with his performances in a difficult to the 2023–24 season for Derby, however Ward picked up a heel injury in Derby's match against Oxford United on 15 August 2023 which ruled him out of action for eight weeks. Upon his return to the team, Ward struggled to cement a place in the Derby team, being demoted to the under-21s to keep him match fit. In December 2023, Ward conceded penalties in back-to back games to Wycombe Wanderers who scored the 96th minute equalising penalty and Lincoln City. On 2 March 2024, Ward returned to the Derby starting lineup against Port Vale, assisted two of Derby's three goals in the 3–0 win, as Derby returned to a wing-back formation which played to Ward's strengths, this performance earned praise from former Derby player Malcolm Christie who was working as match analyst for BBC Radio Derby. On 2 April 2024, Ward scored twice, his first goals for the club, in a 2–2 draw at Portsmouth. During this match, Ward picked up a knee injury which later required surgery which ended his season with an expected recovery time of two months, having made 26 appearances during his first season at Derby. Derby secured automatic promotion the Championship after finishing runners-up in League One.

Honours
Derby County
 * EFL League One second-place promotion: 2023–24

Individual
 * EFL League One Team of the Season: 2020–21