He was also assistant to Graham Taylor at Watford during the 1980's, when the two took the club from the old 4th Division to the 1st Division. He was also involved with the England team when Taylor was the national manager.
Ward has only ever failed to win promotion with one club, Bristol Rovers, who he took to the Division 2 play-offs in 1994-95. Ward, who lives in Sutton Coldfield, also has a reputation of being one of the nicest men in football. Ward asked for 48 hours to make up his mind after being offered the job.
As a player, Ward made 223 starts for his home town club, Lincoln City, where he scored 91 goals. He had a spell on loan at Workington, who were then in the Football League, in 1972. He also played for Watford, Grimsby Town, and made a return to Lincoln as a non-contract player.
Ward has been the favourite candidate of many Cheltenham fans for the job.