Crystal Palace Legend Joel Ward to Depart After 13 Years of Service
Crystal Palace FC has announced that defender Joel Ward will be leaving the club after 13 years of dedicated service. The 35-year-old has been an integral part of the team, playing a significant role in many of the most important moments in modern Crystal Palace history.
According to a statement released by Crystal Palace FC, Ward initially joined the club from Portsmouth at the beginning of the successful 2012/13 season in the Championship. His impressive performances played a crucial role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League, notably with his goal-saving intervention on the line against Watford in the play-off final at Wembley. As reported by Crystal Palace FC, Ward fulfilled a variety of roles in defence and even midfield, missing just two matches as the Eagles retained their place among the elite in the following season.
Ward’s commitment to the club was further recognised as he won the Young Player of the Year award in 2013/14. He also played every minute of Palace’s run in the 2015/16 FA Cup, including 120 minutes against Manchester United in the final. In recent years, Ward has been a consistent and dependable performer in the side, earning him the role of club captain in the 2023/24 season. Then-manager Roy Hodgson hailed Ward as “the ultimate professional” during his tenure. Notably, Ward became the first-ever Palace player to feature in 300 Premier League matches for the club in April 2024.
Throughout his time at Crystal Palace FC, Ward has made a total of 363 appearances, placing him eighth in the list of all-time appearances. He has also racked up 305 Premier League games in red and blue, scoring six times for the club. As a testament to his dedication and hard work, Ward earned the Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Contribution last season. As quoted in the Crystal Palace FC announcement, Chairman Steve Parish praised Ward, saying: “From the very day he joined Crystal Palace, Joel has been an incredible ambassador for this Football Club: open, friendly and professional, but also competitive, driven and uncompromising in the standards he sets.”
Parish continued to laud Ward’s commitment to the club, stating: “Simply put, over the course of 13 years’ service, Joel has been an example for all Palace players who have gone before him: in his values, in his presence, and in his dedication to representing this club with pride.” He also expressed his gratitude and well-wishes for Ward’s future, saying: “This is a great time to celebrate Joel’s achievements and reflect on many great memories here with a truly treasured player and friend. Good luck, Joel, with your next adventure – and thank you.”
In response to the announcement, Ward expressed his gratitude and affection for the club, stating: “For me, it’s been a huge privilege to wear this shirt, to represent this club.” As reported by Crystal Palace FC, Ward reflected on his time at the club, saying: “It’s been an incredible journey with so many fond memories, so many incredible moments – moments that will live on in my mind for the rest of my life.” Ward concluded by expressing his desire to stay connected with the club, saying: “Obviously, I came from somewhere else. But I’ve been a part of this club and a part of the furniture for so long that I’d like to think I’m part of the family. This isn’t ‘goodbye’ – it’s merely a ‘see you later.'”
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