Career
He is naturally a centre back, but has mostly played at right full back for Crystal Palace. Portsmouth
Ward started his footballing career with East Lodge F.C. and signed a professional contract with Portsmouth in July 2008 after spending two years in the Academy and Reserves. = Bournemouth (loan) The following month, he signed a one-year loan deal with Bournemouth to gain first team experience.
Ward soon made his debut in a League Cup match against Cardiff City on 12 August, playing the full 90 minutes as Cardiff ran out 2–1 winners.
His League Two debut came later that week on 16 August in an away draw with Aldershot Town. As the season progressed, Ward continued to appear in defence for the Cherries and he gained the first yellow and red cards of his career on 18 October in a 4–1 away defeat to Shrewsbury Town, eventually being sent off for two bookable offences.
Return to Portsmouth
Ward made his Portsmouth debut on 26 August 2009 against Hereford United in the League Cup as a central defender, before making his Premier League debut on 14 April 2010 against Wigan Athletic, playing from start to finish at left-back as the game finished goalless. Ward played in most of Pompey"s remaining league matches that season and remained at Fratton Park in the summer even after they were relegated to the Football League Championship.
He began the new season as first-choice right back, but later lost his starting berth to Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Greg Halford.
Ward scored his first Portsmouth goal in a 3–2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers on 13 November 2010. Starting with their 2–0 victory over Doncaster Rovers in February, Ward played as an attacking midfielder in Portsmouth"s new 4–2–3–1 formation. On 18 December 2011, Ward scored the equaliser in the South Coast derby against Southampton.
Crystal Palace
On 28 May 2012, Ward completed his move to Crystal Palace for £400,000 with a four-year contract.
He made his league debut four days later in a home game against Watford. On 15 April, Joel Ward signed a new contract until summer 2018.