A product of Stanley Rangers ARLFC, he began his career as a centre, but soon moved to the forward pack.
Ward's biggest career highlight at Castleford was winning the 1986 Challenge Cup, playing at prop in the club's 15–14 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1986.
[5] Ward played right-prop in St Helens' 24–14 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the 1991 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1991–92 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Sunday 20 October 1991, and played right-prop in the 4–5 defeat by Wigan in the 1992 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1992–93 season at Knowsley Road, St Helens, on Sunday 18 October 1992.
[6] His final game for the club was on 9 April 1993 (Good Friday) at Central Park against Wigan, where Ward sustained a badly broken leg.
[8][9] Ward won a cap as a prop for Yorkshire while at Castleford in the 16-10 victory over Lancashire at Wigan's stadium on 16 September 1987.