Jed Ward insisted he is delighted to be back at Bristol Rovers ahead of the Gas’ home clash against Burton Albion in Sky Bet League One.
The goalkeeper was recalled on transfer deadline day after a loan spell at Forest Green Rovers and made an immediate impression on his 21st league appearance for the club, producing several saves in the Pirates’ 1-1 draw with Stockport County on Tuesday night.
The 21-year-old helped Rovers to their seventh point in the last three home games, with Sil Swinkels netting a stoppage-time equaliser against the Hatters.
Back at his boyhood team, Ward stated Rovers is his ‘home’ and reflected on a busy deadline day.
“It feels good,” he said. “This is home for me. This is the place that I’ve been for the past couple of years now, obviously since I was a kid, and I’m just happy to be back.
“It was hectic. I was in a hotel in Dagenham, ready to play Dagenham and Redbridge away the next day, and obviously got the call that I was coming back. I stayed there for the night and came back in the morning. It was good. I was back in the day after that here, and it’s all been good since then.”
Ward made 18 appearances for the Gas last term and collected Rovers’ 2023/24 Young Player of the Year award. The shot-stopper was sent out on loan to National League outfit Forest Green ahead of the start of this season and kept 10 clean sheets in 28 appearances to help Steve Cotterill’s men push towards promotion.
Reflecting on his time at Forest Green, the young goalkeeper admitted he learnt a lot during his time away.
“It was very, very beneficial,” said Ward. “Everyone there, the gaffer especially, he’s been amazing with me. He’s a top, top guy. He’s helped me out massively in terms of sorting out my game that needed improving. The lads as well, the players, the exterior staff have really helped me come on as a player.”
Rovers’ goalkeeping department completely changed towards the conclusion of the transfer window. Josh Griffiths was recalled by Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion, with Ward returning and Myles Roberts joining on loan from Watford. There was also a switch in the coaching department, with James Bittner replacing Scott Brown.
Ward is pleased with the look of the new goalkeeping union and confessed the competition means there is no guarantee he will be starting every game.
“I’ve known Hall for the past couple of years now,” said the 21-year-old. “He’s a great guy and a really good trainer and is really good at supporting the other goalkeepers. Myles has been class since coming in. His work rate and on the pitch, he’s been very good and in the dressing room as well. Bittner has been just as good, coming in and helping me, helping me for the game and after the game just then. I had a sit down with him, and it’s a good group we’ve got now.
“It’s an aspect where we’re going to be competing for the shirt. I was lucky enough to get the nod for Stockport, but it doesn’t mean that I’m guaranteed to start every game. I’ve got to stay at my game on the pitch and off the pitch to make sure I’m doing everything to play the remaining games this season.”
Rovers play at The Memorial Stadium for the third successive time on Saturday, hosting Burton in a battle towards the bottom of the table. The Brewers are in the relegation zone and are six points behind the Gas. However, their league position does not represent their form, with Gary Bowyer's men unbeaten in their last six fixtures.
Ward labelled the upcoming game against the Brewers as ‘big’ but is not looking at the table.
“It’s a big, big game for the club and for the team, where we are in the league,” he said. “I think it’s something we’ve got to look forward to. It’s something we’ve got to be positive in and make sure we do everything we want to do correctly on the day.
“We can’t start looking at league form and the tables and all that sort of stuff. We’ve got to look at the team we’re playing against, no matter where they are in the table and do what we can to come away with three points.”
