Jamie Ward wanted to join Birmingham City when his move to Nottingham Forest turned sour
Jamie Ward grew up an Aston Villa fan and played for their academy(Image: PA Wire)
Jamie Ward is a die-hard Aston Villa fan who came through the ranks at his boyhood club – but there was a time when he was desperate to join Birmingham City.
The former Northern Ireland international spent most of his career in the Championship with Derby County and Nottingham Forest, and it was during his time with the latter that Blues came onto his radar.
Ward was out of favour at the City Ground and formed part of a bomb squad during his four-year stay in Nottingham.
There were loans at Burton Albion, Cardiff City and Charlton and Birmingham-born Ward wanted to join Blues.
Asked whether he would have been willing to join Blues, Villa fan Ward told Undr The Cosh: “I tried to go there when I was trying to leave Forest. I said to my agent, ‘Just get me there’.
“I didn’t want to leave the family and Birmingham’s training ground is an hour from where I live. Again it goes back to… it’s a job.”
Ward had no qualms about moving directly to Forest from fierce rivals Derby after being released in 2015.
He added: “If it’s right for me and the family, why does it matter to anyone else? Football is our job. The bigger picture, as much as I love the fans, is about the people in my house.”
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