Jed Ward Explained

Jed Macauley Ward (born 20 May 2003) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for side Forest Green Rovers, on loan from club Bristol Rovers.

Club career

Ward joined local Bristol side Bradley Stoke United before being scouted at a local chess club and joining Bristol Rovers at the age of eight, joining the under-9 team.^[2] On 5 February 2021, Ward signed his first professional contract with the club aged 17.^[3]

On 9 May 2021, with Rovers already relegated, Ward made his professional debut on the final day of the season against Blackpool as they lost 1–0.^[4]

On 21 January 2022, Ward joined Southern League Premier Division South club Swindon Supermarine on a one-month loan deal, joining fellow Rovers youngsters Kieran Phillips and Tom Mehew at the club.^[5] Ward was recalled from his loan spell on 3 February.^[6]

On 17 February he joined Prescot Cables on loan for a month.^[7] He returned to his parent club in early March.

On 12 August 2022, Ward joined National League South club Hungerford Town on a one-month youth loan deal.^[8] On 7 September 2022, this deal was extended until the end of the season.^[9] Whilst on loan with the club suffering from a broken hand, Ward signed a new contract with his parent club that would keep him at Rovers until 2024 with the option for a further extension.^[10] Despite Hungerford's relegation battle, he impressed with his manager referring to him as an "ultimate professional" and "a very good up-and-coming goalkeeper".^[11] He was recalled from his loan with immediate effect on 7 April,^[12] with manager Barton later promising to involve him at some point in the last five matches of the season.^[13] On 22 April, he made his first performance since returning to the club, featuring in a 2–0 defeat to Port Vale, with manager Barton impressed by his performance despite the scoreline, tipping him to be a future first-choice goalkeeper for the club.^[14]

On 25 July 2023, Ward signed for National League club Wealdstone on a season-long loan deal.^[15] He was recalled by his parent club on 14 November 2023, featuring that night in an EFL Trophy tie with Newport County.^[16]

On 27 January 2024, Ward made his home league debut for the club in a 3–1 victory over Oxford United, impressing with a man-of-the-match performance.^[17] Having firmly established himself as first-choice goalkeeper, he signed a new four-year contract on 28 March 2024.^[18] At the club's end of season awards ceremony, Ward was awarded the Young Player of the Year award.^[19]

Following the loan signing of Josh Griffiths, Bristol Rovers' manager Matt Taylor revealed that the long-term plan was for Ward to be loaned out to continue his development.^[20] On 31 July 2024, he joined National League side Forest Green Rovers on a season-long loan deal.^{[21] [22]}

International career

On 21 May 2021, the day after he turned 18, Ward was called up to the England U19 training camp, to be held at St George's Park.^{[23] [24]}

In March 2024, Ward received a first call-up for the England U20 squad.^[25] On 7 June 2024, Ward made his U20 debut during a 2-1 win over Sweden at Stadion ŠRC Sesvete.^[26]

Career Statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bristol Rovers	2020–21	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2021–22	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	3	0
	2022–23	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2023–24	League One	18	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	19	0
	Total		20	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	24	0
Swindon Supermarine (loan)	2021–22	SL Premier Division South	3	0	0	0	—		0	0	3	0
Prescot Cables (loan)	2021–22[27]	NPL Division One West	3	0	0	0	—		0	0	3	0
Hungerford Town (loan)	2022–23	National League South	24	0	0	0	—		3	0	27	0
Wealdstone (loan)	2023–24	National League	19	0	1	0	—		0	0	20	0
Career Total			69	0	1	0	0	0	7	0	77	0

Honours

Individual

• Bristol Rovers Young Player of the Year: 2023–24^[19]

Notes and References

1. Web site: CLUB LIST OF REGISTERED PLAYERS as of 21 May 2022. English Football League. 21 May 2022. 6 November 2022.
2. Web site: Jed Ward. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 9 May 2021. 9 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509103842/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/teams/under-18s/goalkeeper/jed-ward/. dead.
3. Web site: Jed Ward Signs Pro Deal. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 5 February 2021. 9 May 2021. 9 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509103842/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/february/Jed-ward-signs-pro-deal/. dead.
4. Web site: Blackpool 1–0 Bristol Rovers. BBC Sport. 9 May 2021.
5. Web site: Jed Ward Joins Swindon Supermarine On-Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 21 January 2022.
6. Web site: Jed Ward Recalled From Swindon Supermarine. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 February 2022.
7. Web site: Loan deal for Rovers keeper . Prescot Cables FC . 17 February 2022.
8. Web site: Jed Ward joins Hungerford Town on loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 12 August 2022. 12 August 2022.
9. Web site: Ward Extends Hungerford Stay. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 7 September 2022. 7 September 2022.
10. Web site: New Deal for Ward. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 7 October 2022. 7 October 2022.
11. Web site: Bristol Rovers 'jewel' is standing up to physical and mental test of senior football. Bristol Post. Frost. Sam. 29 March 2023. 29 March 2023.
12. 1644272586753294336. PLAYER NEWS @Jed_ward20 has sadly been recalled at short notice Thanks for all your hard work Jed A big welcome to Max Evans who joins us from @YTFC and will make his debut in goal today. HungerfordTown. Hungerford Town F.C.. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023.
13. Web site: Joey Barton makes Jed Ward promise ahead of Bristol Rovers' League One run-in. Bristol Post. Piercy. James. 21 April 2023. 21 April 2023.
14. Web site: Joey Barton makes Jed Ward prediction as Bristol Rovers talent capitalises on his opportunity. Bristol Post. Frost. Sam. 24 April 2023. 24 April 2023.
15. Web site: Jed Ward joins on a season long loan. www.wealdstone-fc.com. 25 July 2023. 25 July 2023.
16. 1724518914804031653. PLAYER NEWS Goalkeeper @Jed_ward20 has been recalled by parent club @Official_BRFC and features for them this evening against Newport County. We wish Jed all the best back in the EFL and thank him for his spell at the club.. WealdstoneFC. Wealdstone F.C.. 14 November 2023. 14 November 2023.
17. Web site: Bristol Rover player ratings: 'colossal' debutant scores 8/10 whilst others impress in Oxford United win. Bristol World. Langstaff. Harry. 27 January 2024. 29 January 2024.
18. Web site: Jed Ward signs new Bristol Rovers contract. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 28 March 2024. 28 March 2024.
19. Web site: Rovers celebrate campaign at End Of Season Awards. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 22 April 2024. 22 April 2024.
20. Web site: Matt Taylor reveals Bristol Rovers' 'long-term' Jed Ward plan after Yeovil Town victory. Bristol Post. Hargraves. Daniel. 16 July 2024. 16 July 2024.
21. Web site: Jed Ward joins Forest Green Rovers on loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 31 July 2024. 31 July 2024.
22. Web site: Jed Ward signs on season-long loan. www.fgr.co.uk. 31 July 2024. 31 July 2024.
23. Web site: 18-Year-Old Jed Ward called up for England U19 Training Camp!. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 21 May 2021.
24. Web site: England MU19 training camp scheduled. www.englandfootball.com. 21 May 2021.
25. Web site: England men's Elite League squad named for Poland and Czechia trip. www.englandfootball.com. 15 March 2024. 15 March 2024.
26. Web site: Report: Sweden 1-2 England Elite League Squad. www.englandfootball.com. 7 June 2024. 8 June 2024.
27. Web site: Prescot Cables – Appearances – Jed Ward – 2021-2022. www.footballwebpages.co.uk. 15 November 2023.