Matthew James Ward (born 16 August 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Woking.
Career Ward joined the Academy at Ipswich Town from Wroxham in 2020. He had scored three goals in five games for Wroxham in the Eastern Counties Football League during the abandoned 2020–21 season. In March 2021, a deal was agreed "in principle" for him to sign his first professional contract with Ipswich Town the following season. He made his first-team debut on 27 November 2022, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Gassan Ahadme in a 4–0 win over Buxton in the FA Cup.
Following a loan spell with Irish side, Derry City in early 2023, Ward joined National League South side, Braintree Town in November that same year. On 9 February 2024, Ward was recalled from his loan a month earlier than originally expected.
On 17 August 2024, Ward signed for National League club Woking following his departure from Ipswich Town. On the same day, he made his debut for the club during a 2–0 home defeat to Gateshead, replacing Charley Kendall in the 61st minute. A week later, he scored his first goal for Woking in their 3–0 away victory at Ebbsfleet United, curling an effort past Mark Cousins in the 93rd minute. Ward went onto impress during the duration of the season, picking up player of the month awards in September and November. He went onto feature 42 times, scoring 6 goals in his debut season with the club before signing a new two-year deal in May 2025.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWroxham2020–21Eastern Counties League Premier Division5300—0053Ipswich Town2021–22League One00000000002022–23League One00100000102023–24Championship000000—00Total0010000010Derry City (loan)2023LOI Premier Division3100—1Appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup041Braintree Town (loan)2023–24National League South133——1Appearance in the FA Trophy0143Woking2024–25National League34420—6Three appearances and one goal in the National League Cup, three appearances and one goal in the FA Trophy24262025–26National League30320—804032026–27National League12400—10134Total761140—1529513Career total9617500017211819
References