West Ham United is pleased to confirm Elliott Ward has returned to the Club, joining the Academy of Football as U14s coach.
Ward, who graduated from the West Ham Academy, played a crucial role in the Irons returning to the Premier League in 2005 before departing the side a year later.
The former defender, who retired from playing last summer, has now returned to the team where he began his professional career to aid the development of young players at Chadwell Heath.
“It’s brilliant to be back at West Ham United,” Ward told whufc.com. “West Ham is a Club I know very well so it feels like I’m slotting right back in. It’s like I’ve never been away.
“There are still a few familiar faces around the place, which is great for me. West Ham is a great, welcoming environment for me to continue learning.
“Working with the U14s, it’s all about helping them with their pathway into professional football. This is a hugely important period in a young persons’ life. They’re going through a lot as teenagers and we’re trying to help them navigate that and get ready for the next stage, but they also need to develop where they’re at as well.
“The U14s is a group I know very well because that’s the age I joined West Ham, so I know what these boys are going through. It’s just about helping them now and putting a solid platform in place for them to push on.
“There is lot to add to their respective games and West Ham has the structure in place to help these young players do that.”
Academy Manager Ricky Martin is delighted to welcome Ward back to the Club and believes the defender’s experience as a player will prove invaluable for the youngsters at Chadwell Heath.
“We’re delighted to welcome Elliott into our Academy and our roster of coaches,” Martin said. “Elliott has come into the Club as a part-time coach. He is someone I’ve known for several years from his years as a player, and he’s now making that transition into coaching.
“His involvement is a win-win for both parties. He comes on board and can get good experience while he completes his latest coaching badges, while we work with closely with an FAYCD coach that will support him on that. He’s got a lot of resources here at his disposal and a number of experienced coaches to lean on, and he will bring a lot to our U14s as well.
“Wardy comes with experience of playing at the highest level, as well as playing at different clubs and a lot of experience in transferring between different teams and set-ups, all of which he can pass on to our U14s. It’s invaluable for them to be coached by someone with Wardy’s experience. We are delighted to have him with us.”
Ward will work with the U14s at West Ham alongside his role as Assistant Academy Manager at Chelmsford City, the last club he played for before retiring last year.
The 37-year-old says the Academy of Football’s philosophy of bringing in former West Ham players to work with the players of tomorrow is a huge benefit in their development.
“I stopped playing at Chelmsford, but I still work with the club, with their U18s. This role came up and the timing of it was perfect. Timing is everything in football and the Club were looking for someone to come in and fill this spot.
“It’s something West Ham are keen to do throughout the Club and the Academy – bring in former players and Academy graduates who have their own experiences with West Ham United to share. I think it’s very important for the players. They can lean on us.
“We’ve got that experience and, in my example, I’m working with the age group I came through at, so I know how they feel in this moment. We, as a group of coaches, want to help them progress. That is partially because we have done that, worked through the Academy ages up into the first team, so we’re there to guide them and help them be better. Hopefully we can offer a different outlook and perspective.”
