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There's plenty more hard work to do yet

Simon Smedley
18/ 6/2008

BEATING Rochdale at the plush new Wembley Stadium the other week was the pinnacle of Peter Ward’s footballing career, but now it’s all about building on that success as an exciting Stockport County future beckons.

Assistant boss Ward has been speaking to the Express after signing a new one-year rolling contract with the Hatters, one similar to that of manager Jim Gannon.

Firstly Ward spoke of his pride following the recent breath-taking promotion win for his side.

He said: "Winning at Wembley was just amazing, I’ll take away so many memories, and so will my family.

"It wasn’t just the day itself when we beat Rochdale, it was so nervy and exciting during the whole week leading up to the game. Then afterwards it was great for us all to stand on the Town Hall steps saluting all of our brilliant fans.

"Last season, and in fact the past two-and-a-half years since Jim and I returned to Edgeley Park, have been great and I’m just so proud to have been part of it all.

"I’ve seen a much different side to the club since I was here as a player, I’m a different person now, I’ve matured.

"But it has been special to think Jim and I have helped bring pride back to Stockport. The club deserves success, it’s been starved of it for too long now, so hopefully the good times are just around the corner again now.

"When Jim and I first took over [in December, 2005, following Chris Turner’s departure] we had enough confidence in ourselves to believe we could turn things around.

"We looked at the squad and we knew we had to get the team organised, so I feel the win at Wembley was just reward for a lot of hard work we’ve had to put in.

"We can’t be complacent now though.

"We need to keep working hard and keep pushing the team forward if we’re to benefit the club further.

"Next season in League One will be a huge challenge for our young lads in particular, so the fans might have to be patient early on, but Jim and I have got great faith in the players we’ve got here, we’ve got confidence in them all."

So Ward is clearly looking forward enthusiastically to the future, as all County fans are, but from a personal point of view, does the Durham-born former midfielder harbour any ambitions to manage in his own right one day.

"It’s not something I’ve really thought about," added Ward.

"I’ve just been happy to gain some great experience as a number two so far.

"It’s something to work towards maybe, and no doubt in a few years time I might get the chance, but for now I’m happy working with Jim and I’ve got still got qualifications to work towards."

Forty-three-year-old Ward has so far passed his UEFA A coaching license, but is now aiming to undertake the more management orientated UEFA Pro License qualification in the next couple of years.

Meanwhile, a one-year rolling contract, as opposed to a straight two-year deal (Ward’s had recently expired), means that, as each day passes, there is always a full year of employment remaining on the deal.

Ward signed that after consultation with the League Manager’s Association.

"After being offered my contract it was either County or Real Madrid," joked Ward. "So of course I had no hesitation in signing up again for County."