Ralph Ward
Encyclopedia
Ralph Ward was an English
professional footballer who played for Hinckley United
, Tottenham Hotspur
, Bradford Park Avenue, Crewe Alexandra
and represented England
at schoolboy level. He was born in Oadby
, Leicestershire
.
against West Ham United
in March of that year. Ward featured in 132 games and scoring on 11 occasions in a war
- interrupted career at the club. He became the club captain and penalty taker during the war years. His tough approach to the game earned him the nickname - "The Butcher". Ward moved to Crewe Alexandra in August 1946 where he went on to make a further 91 appearances and netting seven goals. He later went on to manage the side between 1953–55.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who played for Hinckley United
Hinckley United F.C.
Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North. Formed only in 1997, the club has risen from the Southern League Midland/West Division to the Conference North in those 14 years...
, Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, Bradford Park Avenue, Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
and represented England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at schoolboy level. He was born in Oadby
Oadby
Oadby is a town within the borough of Oadby and Wigston, in Leicestershire, England. It is to the east of Wigston Magna, and to the southeast of Leicester. Oadby forms part of the Leicester Urban Area, and is situated on the A6 road....
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
.
Football career
Ward began his career at Hinckley United before joining Bradford Park Avenue in November 1929 where he played a total of 129 matches as a full back. He transferred to the Spurs in March 1936 and made his debut at White Hart LaneWhite Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in March of that year. Ward featured in 132 games and scoring on 11 occasions in a war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- interrupted career at the club. He became the club captain and penalty taker during the war years. His tough approach to the game earned him the nickname - "The Butcher". Ward moved to Crewe Alexandra in August 1946 where he went on to make a further 91 appearances and netting seven goals. He later went on to manage the side between 1953–55.