Ward, Tim: Ward returns

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New Rams' manager Tim Ward (left) on his first day in charge in 1962, meeting centre-half Ray Young, winger Bob Stephenson, crowd hero centre-forward Bill Curry, and goalkeeper Ken Oxford

IN the summer of 1962, Derby County announced the appointment of a new manager.

Harry Storer had retired and in his place the Derby board selected another former Rams’ player, Tim Ward.

Ward had signed for the club just before the war and was a stylish wing-half in the 1940s, good enough to be capped by England.

He had just taken Grimsby Town to promotion when Derby chairman, Fred Walters, approached the Mariners about their manager.

He took the job for £2,500 a year, plus a Vauxhall Victor car.

After arriving at the Baseball Ground, however, Ward found that he had some disaffected players on his hands.

Of the players on the books at that time, 11 had refused to re-sign on the terms offered – £20 per week, plus £5 if they were in the first team.

There was also £1 per player for every 1,000 spectators over 18,000 at home matches.

The maximum wage in football was being abolished at that time and the players felt they were in a good bargaining position.

In the end, however, they all re-signed, although two went on the transfer list.

Ward stayed at Derby for five years, making some excellent signings during that time – including that of Kevin Hector – but generally fighting a parsimonious board of directors.

Our picture shows Ward (left) on his first day in charge, meeting centre-half Ray Young, winger Bob Stephenson, centre- forward Bill Curry, who was a real crowd hero.

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