Tony Ward (referee)

Ward started his career in 1962, serving the South East Counties, Spartan, Athenian and Isthmian leagues, before becoming a Football League linesman in 1974. His first match was a Second Division game between Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest. In 1980, he was promoted to the Referees List of the Football League; his first match was between Lincoln City and Wigan Athletic.

Ward reached the normal retirement age of 48 in 1990, but he was retained for a further three seasons along with other high-performing referees. He did not have Premier League appointments initially on its formation in 1992-1993 but was regularly chosen for matches in the second half of the season. His final match was Liverpool v Coventry City in April 1993.

When Arsenal moved from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, he was appointed Arsenal’s Hon Referees Liaison Officer.

Ward's notable appointments include:

• FA trophy Final at Wembley between Altrincham and Runcorn
• FA Vase Final 1979
• Football League Cup Semifinal 1993
• West Germany vs Brazil (Linesman) 1981
• Reserve referee football league cup final 1989
• Linesman European cup winners cup final 1989 Barcelona vs Sampdoria (referee George Courtney)

In addition to Robin Wainwright and George Parish, Ward refereed testimonial matches for:

• Glenn Hoddle
• Ossie Ardiles
• Pat Jennings
• Ray Clemence
• Chris Hughton
• Ron "Chopper" Harris
• Tony Gale
• Ray Kennedy
• Graham Rix
• Tony Adams
• Ron Hillyard
• Terry Gibson
• Barry Fry
• Danny Blanchflower
• Eddie Baily
• David O'Leary
• Michael Watson
• Alan Nelmes
• Mick Leach
• Ray Kennedy
• Keith Millen
• Tony Gale

Ward became the first referee to dismiss a player for deliberate handball when he sent off Reading player Lawrie Sanchez in a match against Oxford in August 1982. Ten days later he dismissed Colin Todd of Nottingham Forest against Manchester United; Todd became the first Division One player to be sent off for handball.

As fourth official for England v Ireland in 1986 Ward was the first official to use the numbers board for substitutions, the referee was Clive Thomas of Wales.

He married in August 1963, and has two children and four grandchildren.^{[citation needed]} He worked for 35 years for Mirror Group Newspapers. He is a keen follower of cricket and baseball.

• Football League Handbooks 1974–1992
• Rothmans Year Books 1980 - 1992