Joe Ward has signed for the Development Squad

[brighton terra]

http://mobile.seagulls.co.uk/news/a...-and-hove-albion-from-chlemsford-2479412.aspx

Sounds like a decent young prospect!

 

[clippedgull]

Nice! Let's hope he progresses quickly.

It can't be long now before a few DS players start to get through into the our First Team squad.

 

[southstandandy]

The way forward IMO. Good news.

 

[clippedgull]

A nice positive piece from his former manager (taken from 2014)

Mark Hawkes hails Joe Ward after Chelmsford City's Whitehawk win

Chelmsford City manager Mark Hawkes believes there is "no limit" to where young winger Joe Ward can play in his career.

The 18-year-old set up the first two goals as the Clarets beat Whitehawk 4-0 on Saturday.

Ward has been a revelation since coming into the team under Hawkes, and the manager was thrilled with his impact at the Enclosed Ground.

"That young man, there’s no limit to where he can play," he said. "He does nothing wrong outside of football, outside of coming to Chelmsford he does everything absolutely right – he eats right, he trains right and he doesn’t get dragged in when his mates are going up the pub.

"He wants to be a professional footballer and that kid, if he keeps going he will be."

Whitehawk started well on the south coast, but Ward teed up Rob Edmans and then Luke Callander in the space of three minutes to make it 2-0 before half-time.

And a completely dominant second-half showing with the slope was eventually rewarded with two further goals for recent signing Michael Cheek as City earned their biggest win of the season.

"It was a fantastic performance," Hawkes added. "We showed great grit and determination.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

He looked very good playing against Stoke U21s at the Amex, so pleased that we've signed him. He beat Whitehawk so he must be good, eh, ken tiler?

 

[brighton terra]

8 'player of the match' awards last season. That's pretty decent for a 19 year old, even at Conference South level!

http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/s/the-team-62438.html?player_id=708387

 

[severnside gull]

A fee of around £25K.

 

[Dolph Ins]

Looks like the new training ground might start producing results quicker than I thought it would. Welcome Joe.

 

[Stat Brother]

Good to see the club complete its summer transfer business nice and early this year.

 

[Giraffe]

Big surname to live up to. But at least you know when he shoots he will score.

 

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

http://mobile.seagulls.co.uk/news/a...-and-hove-albion-from-chlemsford-2479412.aspx

Sounds like a decent young prospect!

Give us time.

 

[Dave the OAP]

We are going to be brilliant in 5 years time

 

[wellquickwoody]

I really wish the lad well, as this is where a big chunk of our future is coming from.

But talk about people ignoring the whole truth, trialled with both Ipswich and Brentford, twice overlooked by West Ham. The whole picture please!

 

[Zebedee]

We are going to be brilliant in 5 years time

Something to look forward to then. Meanwhile......?

 

[stss30]

I really wish the lad well, as this is where a big chunk of our future is coming from.

But talk about people ignoring the whole truth, trialled with both Ipswich and Brentford, twice overlooked by West Ham. The whole picture please!

This happens and has happened to some of the best players in the world. Sometimes several unsuccessful trials before getting a big break.

 

[Surf's Up]

Good to see the club complete its summer transfer business nice and early this year.

Hehehehe - many a true word spoken in jest etc etc etc!!!!

 

[DavidRyder]

I think this is a really positive signing. Ok, time will tell if he makes it into the first team, but it's the right sort of signing for planning for the future. By all accounts he's done very well at Chelmsford, hopefully he'll now do well at this level. This signing doesn't deserve any negativity - the established first team signings we all want will come in due course, I have faith!

Good luck Joe and welcome to the Albion!

 

[spanish flair]

This happens and has happened to some of the best players in the world. Sometimes several unsuccessful trials before getting a big break.

Yes, we had both Roy Keane and Ian Wright here on trial as youngsters and turned them both down.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

I really wish the lad well, as this is where a big chunk of our future is coming from.

But talk about people ignoring the whole truth, trialled with both Ipswich and Brentford, twice overlooked by West Ham. The whole picture please!

Every silver lining has a cloud eh?

 

[Bold Seagull]

I saw him play last season for Chelmsford where they played him mostly on the wing. Good feet, quick and at 19 was already shining at what is a tough level of football, got a good shot on him too. Will be interesting whether he is being bought in to see how he gets on in the development squad, or whether he is already pushing for a look at the first team. Big step obviously, but he was an undoubted talent last season who West Ham amoung others we're looking at. Might be one of those that does have a chance at breaking through - lets hope so, and best of luck Joe!