September 26 2008
Wanted – Your memories, for the official biography of Peter Ward
Tagged Under : biography, book
He Shot, He Scored: The official biography of Peter Ward will be published in 2009. A definitive account of Wardy’s fascinating soccer career spanning almost 35 years. The Brighton and Hove Albion legend tells his story, sharing memories of exciting times, and tough decisions.
The book will feature previously unpublished material from Peter himself, and insight from ex-teammates, managers, friends and family.
We would love to hear your memories and stories about Wardy. Are you a fan, from one of Peter’s UK or US clubs? Have you been coached by Peter? Do you have any stories or photos that you think should be included in his book?
Share your stories and memories with us at matt@seaviewmedia.com.
A selection of these contributions may be added to the book, and onto the website. Please note that we reserve the right to edit any contributions if necessary. By submission, you authorise us to use your contribution. However, we will liaise direct with you prior to publication.
Please email any contributions to matt@seaviewmedia.com - Thank you!
Just read the book over the weekend. Absorbing stuff. A must read for all Albion, Forest, NASL and MISL fans. You remain my hero from days long ago at The Goldstone and days not so long ago in Philadelphia. The most talented forward of thr late 70s and early 80s. Should have gotten far more England Caps and much more recognition…..but you can’t change history.
Peter is now my U-15 Soccer coach for Tarpon Springs in Florida. He is an Exceptional Coach. I bet everyone in England knows his name.
i used to imagine i was you when as a kid playing for southdown united (worthing) never made the big time but getting your autograph was totally cool miss the goldstone ground looking forward to the new ground perhaps we will eventualy see another peter ward playing for the best team in the world !! up the seagulls ta for the memories pete .
Thank you for being a great hero in my childrens lives and a uncle they will cherish you forever yours truley this crazy girl connie russo!!!
Hi Peter,
Not seen you since the Cleveland Force dressing room with Kieth Furphy many years ago.
I did bump into Kia Haskavi last year(niice bloke).!
I am still in PITTSBURGH Pa.
Well it beats Borrowash.!!!!
Good luck on your future endeavours.
Nigel Hodges.
Hey Wardy:
Just found your website. Brings back memories of the days at Deans Drive with Adrian Ball, Les Goodwin, John Dilley and the rest of the boys.
Got to get your book.
Whip
No. 1 is Peter Ward….No. 2 is Peter Ward….No. 3 is Peter Ward….No 4 is….e.t.c. We all LIVED in a Wardy Wonderland….LEGEND…Thanks Peter for the great memories when i was a kid.
Peter Ward is the is forever the best!!!!!!
Also he is the nicest and funniest person ever!!!
LOVE YA PETE
I’ve been supporting Brighton through thick and thin for 30 years,it’s not something that you can change,your team is your team.I’m now 38,married and father of 3,but i will never forget the way Peter Ward made me feel when i was 8!
Hi Peter remember us from honey croft when you lived in hangleton, well we’re still here. love Jim and Marilyn Jones
THE LEGEND KNOWN AS PETER WARD………was nice to meet you in…. THE HIKERS REST……..
Great to see you at the Withdean tonight Wardy ! my everlasting memory of you will be the Goals scored against Wolves in the snow, what a night that was !!!!!!
What a player - I was 11 when he joined the Seagulls - so many memories, he would take players on and round goalies like their were invisable - can’t wait for the book…
I remember winding Wardy up by singing “He shot, he missed, the fans are really pissed” whenever he missed one. He always made up for it. Wardy is the best player I’ve played with and/or against. His touch is unbelievable. The best part of Wardy isn’t his football, it’s his character. He’s a better man than he is footballer and that’s saying a lot.
Wardy, now send me the $20 you owe me!
if only we could turn back the clock…got so many great memories seeing wardy /mellor etc sat afternoon then sherrys in the evening
Watched the genius back in the mid 70`s ,first saw him on match of the day scoring in the first minute against Hereford and was my instant Hero !!! Travelled with my father and watched him torment many a defence at the good old Goldstone ! (RIP) and used to fight my way through as a young lad to get his autograph and see him close up !! He used to kill of defences with his skill and what amuses me is he was never injured like these girlie footballers today !! A true Brighton legend followed next way down by Bobby Zamora.
I was about 8 or 9 when I used to go to the Goldstone Ground and watch the Albion with my Dad.
Whenever Wardy got the ball there was such a sense of expectation around the ground - and you have to remember that there were 30,000 of us at the Goldstaone in those days - so there was a lot of expectation!
Peter is still a much-loved part of every one of one of us who went to the Goldstone in those days. It’s somethng that no-one who was not there can share with me. I have the ‘Wardy’ video and have shown it to my football-mad kids but however good Wardy’s goals are on it (and some of them are amazing) I know that to them it does not mean the same as it does to me.
They were exciting times and Peter was the talisman of a very special team that will stay in all of our hearts.
God bless you Peter for the joy and happy memories you brought to all of us.
Happy days!
As good a player as Peter Ward was, I remember the sublime skills of Johnny McNicoll for Brighton who went on to play for Chelsea(Ithink). This was some years before Wardy came on the scene, but I would mention them both in the same breath.
Can you tell me does Wardy still run a bar in Tampa? If so what is it called. I am in Tampa for the U2 gig, would love to have a beer with the greatest Seagull ever.
I have just returned from Tampa, Florida. Last Saturday I sat with Peter and his friends in a bar all ‘wearing’ Man utd shirts…….I wish I had my camera
I remember working with Peter as an apprentice at Rolls-Royce, Derby in the 70’s, he used to work in ‘Toy Town’ the Rolls department where everything miniature was produced on tiny metalworking machines.
Next thing we knew he was in Burton Albion’s side (the team I have supported for 41 years), then his career was heading skywards ! He certainly had an eye for goal.
A huge fan of yours, i saw you regularly from 1976 when i was 10 years old right through to your return from forest. Thanks for great memories and it was good times to be a brighton fan. look forward to getting your book.
“peter ward is magic”
Wardie you gave me so many good days watching you and the other boys playing at the Goldstone ground. I often wondered why you went to the USA when you could have been the best in the UK.
Thanks
Peter, though I didnt see you play, I have heard the stories, seen the youtube footage and sung the songs about just how good you were. It was an honour to play along side you, and even more surreal going out for a few beers with you.
As you pestered me so much, I left you a message. It meant so much to REMF for you to be part of it, and I look forward to it again next year. See you in September
Gaffer x
I have watched Brighton now for 40 years and you are still without doubt the most exciting and gifted player to play for the team in that time. The fact that ‘he shot he scored, it must be Peter Ward’ is still heard from the terraces is amazing! If I could go back in time it would be to those years when you arrived at the Goldstone.
The visual memory is of a match when Brighton were well ahead and Wardy and Teddy Maybank were trying to outdo each other with ridiculous tricks. Each rounded, or I should say, passed by an opponent by clicking the ball on the back of their heels and flicking it over their head while running at pace leaving the full back playing a kind of spot the ball contest but looking in completely the wrong place. They don’t do daft like that nowadays. Pure entertainment.
I remember you from your Cleveland Force MISL days back in the mid 80’s … my friends and I had season tickets and we just about stalked you and Andy Chapman (we were only about 13 at the time!).
Magic days when Wardy and “Spider” Mellor produced cut backs from the by-line to isolate the keeper and score certain goals. Such a great atmosphere in the North Stand, where I took my two sons, expecting such thrills at each home game.
I worked in the front office for the Seattle Sounders for the last 2 seasons of the NASL. We had an unbelievable team made up of many former English league players including Joe Corrigan, Alan Hudson, Mickey Cave, Steve Buttle and so many more but it was Peter Ward that was the most magical of the bunch to me. A class act on and off the field. With the re-birth this year of the Sounders in the MLS, it made me wonder what Peter was up to. Glad I found this site and I hope he’s doing well!
Obvioulsy hundreds of happy memories of Wardy playing for the Albion… but none so proud as when we were playing away and he was ‘on show’ to all the opposing fans. It was one thing for him to excite us at the Goldstone, but it was quite another dimension for the rest of the league to realise what we had.
However one ‘home’ moment really sticks in the memory. Playing Palace at home, the Palace full back, Kenny Sansom. plays a back pass to his keeper. Intercepted by Wardy and, with a filck of the slipper, the ball is nestling the back of the net. The thing that makes it so special was that we were standing in the South-West terraces and the precise trajectory of the ball into the net was in line with our position. The ball was hit with an amazing curve… but half a second before the ball swept in there was an audible scream of emotion from someone behind the goal in line who, in line with us could see that the ball was goal bound…. The whole thing happended in slow motion and I can replay it all in my mind so clearly… Thanks so much for the memory!
The most exciting footballer I ever watched. Spent so many great times in the North Stand watcching a great team which had a great spirit under Alan Mullery. For those who remember we even had a song for the rare occasion when Wardy missed ! Looking forward to reading the book. Can’t list all the memories but I just hope the book portrays the fun we all had in those days at the Goldstone. If you were there you know what I mean.
Top man, Walsall (H) 7-0. H.T. 0-0. Terrific rain storm the whole game, many fans left at H.T. Ward 4. Mellor 3.
Gas Meter as we like to call him is to us the special one, he is always great company weather we are in Beefs watching footie or on the golf course he is always his self no airs and graces. He told me one day in Scotland Yard when he just retired from the Rowdies that we would win the National over 40s cup because he was going to play with us and we did once in one of his old stamping grounds Seattle, and again2 years later in Virginia after being runners up the second year! Gas Meter we love ya Oh yes by the way i bought a round on your tab in Beefs today! Love Yas
I have already met Peter Ward and I am only ten, The goal at Kerry Mayo’s Testimonial IT WAS LOUD! Even my 7year old sister and cousin was singing ‘He shot he scored he must be peter ward!’ My dad had told us that before the game he sung that when he was a teenager. And I have seen loads of Peter Ward goals on You Tube.
COME ON THE ALBION!!
The thing I remember about Wardy was how whenever he got the ball near the opposition box (he never was one for tackling back I recall) there was an expectation that he would score. Great acceleration and ball control meant he got past lumbering centre backs and very little back-lift for the shot. Only Bobby Zamora has come close to the excitement he generated. .. and no true Derbyshire lad would say “soccer”.
My memories that are most vivid of my early childhood years of living in Brighton was my dad taking me to the Goldstone Ground and watching my beloved team, Brighton and Hove Albion. Of course the most notable player and the one that all kids wanted to emulate was the great Peter Ward.
Fast forward 20 years and I’m told there is a pretty good pub team called “Scotland Yard” in Tampa. I approached the pub landlord and I’m gobsmacked as it’s my boyhood idol, Peter Ward.
What great fun it was to play with him and to listen to his stories when we were on the road and I do remember a game in which he missed a couple of pens but he did make amends by scoring 4 goals that game.
Legend!
Wish I was born earlier Peter, have seen your great goals countless times.
Never liked the game, but someone forced me to go, It was January 1978 Wardy put a hat-trick past Mansfield in a 5-1 victory in front of 23, 000 at The Goldstone kicking off a 30 year love affair with the game esp. Brighton & Hove Albion (wonder how my life would hve turned out if it had ended nil-nil?)
Very well remember staying up late at the age of 9 to watch Wardy’s debut goal at Hereford on Match of the Day, and he is still my one and only hero to this day. When my father saw the signed photograph of Peter Ward on my wall a few years back he was so disappointed I had not also got him one that I raced down the club shop, picked up an unsigned one and then got a mate to copy the signature - it makes me laugh every time I see the framed picture in pride of place on his wall!
As a kid I used to hang around the training ground hoping for a signature from Wardy. One by one the others would come and go and scribble on my pad, but only when the fuzzy haired man himself appeared did I feel the joy that goes with supporting a legend. Over the 30 odd years I have been a Brighton season ticket holder I have never felt the same affinity to any other player. My father, who has long since passed away - his ashes spread on the goldstone pitch - felt the same way. As for playing memories, your goals against Man City at the Goldstone and your England U21 hatrick sit firmly in my mind. Good luck with the book - and being an author myself I know a little luck wouldn;t go amiss!
I can still see you outjumping Gordon McQueen. 3-0 spanking of Manchester United after a similar 3-0 pasting of Hajduk Split. Awesome! Hope you will come back to Seattle for the Sounders next adventure: first season in MLS. You’re still the best Number 9 ever in Seattle! Cheers!
will the grreat man himself be available to sign this, at any time?
i am sure NSC can arrange a suitable pub crawl, er, session!
Wardy - simply the most magical, exciting player I have ever had the pleasure of watching.An Albion legend.Thank you.
Legend is all you can say about the guy, but I wish he would stop calling me Lurch!
An absolute legend. In the 40 years I have been watching Brighton never has a player excited the crowd so much.
I will always remember:
- the goal on your debut
- drawing nil nil at half time v Walsall and winning 7-0 with Wardy scoring 3
- the hattrick against Norway for the England under 21’s
- seeing most of your 80 goals for Brighton
Thanks for the memories, hope the book goes well.
“Ward turned so quickly his number appeared on his chest”
Congradulations Wardy! As you well know, all of your mates here in Tampa have been after you for years to pen a biography. The Scotland Yard Boy’s all look forward to it. Love ya, mate!
sorry i meant Falmer
PETER WARD - The reason I started supporting the Albion nearly 33 years ago, an addiction thats still going strong!!
Hope to see you play a legends game at Famer.
hi wardie its been a long time back in the scotland yard days irish brian here hope i find ye all well say hello to all the lads paul rowe, al mccloud,brummie george and dougie
Great website! Hope you have a wonderful New Year.
From your server at Bonefish Grill.
Mac said, “Anyway. Peter Ward is magic so there.”
Strongly agree with you there!
As much as I dislike the word Soccer, I still believe we originally coined the phrase.
I have a collection of magazines called ‘Soccer Star’ from the 50’s and we have the programmes ‘Soccer AM’ and ‘Gillette Soccer Saturday’.
Anyway. Peter Ward is magic so there.
http://www.gavinrymill.com/origin-of-the-word-soccer.html
Mac, I was aware where the term ’soccer’ came from, but I think that you will find that it was the Americans who used the term originally.
It doesn’t take away from the fact that you have to keep my old mate on his toes. As Fat Al knew, our Wizz can get complacent.
“Number one is Peter Ward,
Number two is Peter Ward.”
I’ll leave Wardy to sing the rest, and he will still be singing it when we next meet.
I was lucky enough to see Peter play in the late 1970s and early 1980s at the Goldstone Ground. I was gutted when he was sold to Nottingham Forest. Still one of my all time favourite Brighton & Hove Albion F C players. Looking forward to reading the book. It is on my wish list already !!
Dan, did you know that the word Soccer was invented by the English? An abbreviation of aSSOCiation football.
So there.
To my husband Peter Ward is god!
Hi Peter, long time fan of your days with the Seattle Sounders. I would have to say the one memory of your time with the Sounders that stands out above all the rest, including your being voted league MVP in ‘82, was the goal you, and Steve Daley, set up for Mark Peterson, that finished of the dismantling you guys laid on ManU, in the EuroPac Cup.
PETA IS AMAZING! He’s helped our team improve 110% and always keeps us laughing b/c of his englishh accentt ahahha
ahhahahah i remember when lauren slid tackled peter, hahahhahahhahahhahaha
Oi, what’s all this “soccer” nonsense? There is no such game. The game is FOOTBALL, and don’t you forget it. Just because Jacci’s fellow countrymen call their national sport of hunt the oval by the same name, doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. You earned your living and legend status playing FOOTBALL.
By the way Doris, what was Fat Al again?
xx
As a keen Forest fan for over 40 years i do hope you include some interesting bits and pieces from your time with Cloughie and Taylor.
PA - As a good friend of Paul Hammonds, who often speaks fondly of the times he has spent with you over the years, i wish you well with your upcoming autobiograhy.
Rgds. Kevin
Good luck with the book. Always a pleasure to see you (Mac’s barbies) - its really appreciated that you have so much time for us BHA supporters. All the best. Mike
peter ward!
best soccer coach anyone could ask for!!
we love you!!
HE SHOT, HE SCORED, IT MUST BE PETER WARD, PETER WARD, LEGEND!!!!!!!
he shot he scored it must be peter ward !!!!! the legend lives.
The Brighton Walk of Fame is at Brighton Marina, there is some more info here:
http://www.walkoffame.co.uk/thewalk_who_sport.html
Great to see the site up, look forward to catching up with Wardy news! Where’s the Walk of Fame??