Curbishly keeping tabs on Ward

**Roo69** · 15/03/2006, 11:36 AM

From Breaking News.ie

Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley is planning a spring trip to Dublin to watch Bohemians striker Stephen Ward.

Ward, 21, was brought to Curbishley’s attention by scouts who were impressed by the Republic of Ireland Under 21 striker during the Madeira Tournament and the Charlton boss has now decided to watch Ward himself.

Ipswich manager Joe Royle watched Ward playing for the Ireland Under 21s against Sweden last month.

**A face** · 16/03/2006, 2:02 PM

Dont like the sound of that anyway !!

**Poor Student** · 16/03/2006, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Dont like the sound of that anyway !!

Why? As long as they get a decent price it's good news. Apparently they were watching Dicker in that tournament. Maybe it's both or it never was Dicker at all.

**thegit** · 16/03/2006, 5:11 PM

Both Dicker and Ward I heard will be gone in the summer there's a few clubs sniffing around. It's a bit s**t for the league but it's great for the two lads.

**pineapple stu** · 16/03/2006, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by thegit

It's a bit s**t for the league

It's not really. It should encourage more young players to stay here or to cmoe back here. If Dicker does go, I'd rather that he'd played for us for 2½ years and we get good money for him than if he'd gone to England at 15.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 17/03/2006, 8:44 AM

pineapple stu

The real issue is Gary Dicker and Stephen Ward , have a better chance of making it in professional football overseas having plied their trade at the highest level at home for a couple or three seasons as the case may be.
Look at the attrition of schoolboy players who go to England at 15 and came home disillusioned. Some of whom never play football at any level again on their return.