Ashley Ward: From journeyman footballer to millionaire property developer, the former Sheffield United striker has even appeared on reality TV
ASHLEY WARD was a hot property in an 18-year playing career that started as a junior at Manchester United in 1987.
He soon moved to neighbours City and turned out for nine other clubs until his final stint at Sheffield United in 2005.
But the Lancashire-born striker has become an even hotter property since he quit football.
He set up a building empire that includes a booming development company, commercial business and the family’s latest venture, a non-surgical beauty clinic.
It's a far cry from banging in over a century of league goals for eleven clubs - including Norwich City and Barnsley in his pomp.
Ward, 47, has also appeared in reality TV show Real Housewives of Cheshire, alongside his wife Dawn who is a mainstay on the ITV hit.
Both Ashley and Dawn had already started getting involved in the property business in the last few years of his football career.
"Even though I had offers to join other clubs, I had been suffering with a few injuries which prevented me from playing properly in my last couple of seasons," Ward said.
“I have always felt it was good that I made the decision to stop playing and pursue my new working life outside the game.
“My wife, Dawn and I just started renovating places and selling them on.
“I remember when I was playing at Crewe in the early nineties, we bought a barn and just as it was finished I got a call from Norwich.
"We moved lock, stock and barrel to Norfolk.
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“We hadn’t even lived in the renovated barn… and then we sold it!"
Soon, Ashley and Dawn began building bespoke homes for the likes of Kevin Campbell and Wayne Rooney through his company, Bilton Ward Developments.
“We then expanded into building and renovating luxury homes around the Cheshire area, which included Wayne Rooney’s property," he said.
“I didn’t know Wayne, but the properties we were involved in had the right logistics for a footballer - which is how it happened.
“As well as the luxury property development company, we are now branching into beauty therapy involving non surgical procedures."
Even his wife’s high profile life on Real Housewives of Cheshire doesn’t faze the former front man.
He added: “We spoke before she appeared on the programme. But there was never a problem. She has always been very grounded."
They have four daughters Darby, Taylor, Charlie and Aston.
Ward said: “I never had time to miss football when I quit because of my world outside the game. I hardly watched any matches for about six years.
“People come up to me and say, ‘Do you remember scoring that goal at Old Trafford or that great shot.’ It’s all a bit of a blur - almost a different life.
“But I’m humbled that they recall these moments and it’s great to have left an impression.
“I have just started going to Manchester City recently - where I played one league game nearly 30 years ago.
“It has been wonderful to go back and in particular to enjoy watching such a brilliant side weaving their magic.”