Non League Today I Ardley Leaves Moors - Ward Joins as Director of Football

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Ardley Leaves Moors - Ward Joins as Director of Football

Vanarama National League club Solihull Moors have announced that manager Neal Ardley (pictured) has left by mutual consent with immediate effect.

Monday 26 June 23 I 15:41:35	I	Photo by

Chairman, Darryl Eales told https://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk: “It has been a pleasure to work with Neal over the past two seasons. “He has overseen our continued push as a club to punch above our weight and operate to the highest professional standards. “He led the club to our best ever season in 2021/22 where we reached the National League Promotion Final and generally introduced a fast paced, style of play which is attractive on the eye and has been at the forefront of our player development philosophy. “This is an amicable and respectful parting of the ways, wholly consistent with Neal’s values and character, and I wish him every success in the future.” Meanwhile, former Republic Ireland international Stephen Ward has joined the club as Director of Football. Ward was most recently assistant manager at National League North side Brackley Town and he will now be looking after football operations at the ARMCO Arena. The 37-year-old is currently undertaking a MSC Degree in Sporting Directorship through the Global Institute of Sport. On the pitch, during a 19-year playing career, the defender clocked over 500 senior appearances. He started out with Bohemians in Ireland before making the switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2007 and then signing for Premier league side Burnley in 2014. Following a five-year stint at Turf Moor, Ward then went on to play for Stoke City, Ipswich Town and Walsall, hanging up his boots in 2022. Ward also made an impressive 50 appearances for Republic of Ireland, playing for the national side in Euro 2012 and 2016 finals. “First of all, I am delighted to be here and get started in the role at Moors,” said Ward on his move to Moors. “After meeting the chairman, I was firstly very impressed by him and his vision for the club, along with the clear ambition to progress and achieve Football League status. “I was impressed by the set up both at the stadium and the training ground in Studley, as well as the club’s ambition to be the best both on and off the pitch. “The club’s desire to be a first in class Community Club is one which resonates with me, as does its continuing aim to connect with the Community. “I hope to further this by strengthening the existing ties we have with Midlands based sides at both a professional and grassroots level. “The club has established a viable pathway to its first team through the Elite Academy whose success is no more apparent than by several of its graduates making their professional debuts last season. “I will use the knowledge that I have gained through my 20-year career, playing at the top level to help the club move forward in its aspirations both on and off the pitch.” Chairman Darryl Eales added: “I’m delighted to welcome Stephen to Moors and believe we are fortunate to have an individual of his calibre in the newly created role of Director of Football. “Alongside Stephen, we will appoint a Head Coach in the near future and, in the interim, James Quinn will welcome the players back to pre-season training. “Stephen’s appointment is part of our programme of continuous improvement and he will oversee all our football activities. “He buys in to Moors community club mentality and our ambition to try and achieve Football League status. “Stephen will bring the highest standards of professionalism and work ethic to the club. His appointment compliments our extra investment in recruitment, led by Joe Taylor, our launching of our Young Player Programme and our desire to develop an excellent pathway for home grown players and our plan to develop much closer relationships with local clubs. “Stephen is intelligent, articulate, well connected and well liked in the game and I look forward immensely to working with him”.

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