Joel Edward Philip Ward (born 29 October 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Ward started his footballing career with local youth team East Lodge[5] and signed a professional contract with Portsmouth in July 2008 after spending two years in the Academy and Reserves.

[13][14] 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.

[15][14] After serving a one match suspension, Ward made his return, coming on as a 85th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 loss against Lincoln City on 25 October 2008.

[17] However, in a match against Shrewsbury Town on 7 February 2009, Ward suffered ankle injury after "falling awkwardly" and was substituted in the 16th minute, as the club won 1–0.

He began the new season as first-choice right-back, but later lost his starting berth to Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Greg Halford.

[23] Starting with their 2–0 away victory over Doncaster Rovers on 12 February 2011, a game in which he scored, Ward played as an attacking midfielder in Portsmouth's new 4–2–3–1 formation and earned praise from manager Steve Cotterill who was quoted as saying: "Joel Ward has got great energy and did well in that role in the centre in midfield in behind the striker.

[29] He won promotion with Crystal Palace after clearing a shot off the line during the last minute of injury time against the same opponents in the 2013 Championship play-off final.

[37] Ward is currently involved with helping and supporting local charity Faith and Football, which was set up by former Pompey defender Linvoy Primus.

Ward operated mainly as a central defender at the start of his professional career, particularly during the beginning of his time at Portsmouth and loan to Bournemouth.