Stephen Ward takes helm as Director of Football at Solihull Moors
Stephen Ward Credit: None
Solihull Moors has announced the appointment of former Republic of Ireland international, Stephen Ward, as their new Director of Football.
Ward, had a recent stint as assistant manager at Brackley Town, will now oversee football operations at Solihull Moors' ARMCO Arena.
Alongside his career transition into management, the 37-year-old is also broadening his academic repertoire, currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Sporting Directorship through the Global Institute of Sport.
Ward, whose career spans over 19 years, boasts of over 500 senior appearances, beginning his journey with Bohemians in the League of Ireland.
He then moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2007, followed by Premier League side Burnley in 2014.
After five years at Turf Moor, Ward had spells with Stoke City, Ipswich Town, and Walsall, before retiring in 2022.
On an international level, Ward made 50 appearances for the Republic of Ireland, playing in the Euro 2012 and 2016 finals.
“I am delighted to be here and get started in the role at Moors,” expressed Ward, impressed by the chairman's vision and the club's ambition to achieve Football League status.
He also praised the club’s determination to excel both on and off the pitch and its commitment to being a leading community club.
Adding to that, Ward revealed his intention to further strengthen the club's ties with Midlands-based sides at both professional and grassroots levels, and lauded the club’s viable pathway to its First Team through the Elite Academy.
Darryl Eales, Moors Chairman, expressed his delight at Ward's appointment. “We are fortunate to have an individual of his calibre in the newly created role of Director of Football,” Eales said.
“Stephen is intelligent, articulate, well connected and well liked in the game and I look forward immensely to working with him.”
According to Eales, Ward’s appointment is part of the club's continuous improvement program and he would be overseeing all football activities, embodying Moors community club mentality and the ambition to attain Football League status.
