West Ham, Plymouth Argyle agreement was short but sweet
Even though Elliott Ward’s tenure as a Plymouth Argyle wasn’t long—he was on his way back to the capital by spring—he was nevertheless able to leave his mark on the Green Army during his time as a Pilgrim.
The defender, who was loaned from West Ham United for the 2005–06 campaign, provided a touch of sophistication to the Greens’ backline while they were still establishing themselves as a Championship team. He formed a defensive partnership with Matthias Doumbe.
The then-20-year-old, who would cut off a limb to prevent the ball from going into the penalty area, gave his new team, who was in its second season in the Championship following promotion in 03/04, an extra layer of stability.
After arriving in November and departing in February, Ward’s influence on the team was so great that by the time he left, Home Park fans were hankering after more. He later established himself as a mainstay in the second division.
Elliott Ward thrives in Plymouth Argyle loan spell
The Greens were a well-trained defensive system, which is not surprising given that Tony Pulis was coaching the Devon team at the time. Ward’s arrival only strengthened the team’s no-nonsense mentality at the back.
The defender joined for a month in November after having already played for the Hammers in the top flight at the beginning of the season. His first two starts ended in defeat before he began to settle into his new environment.
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Even though they may not have had the desired outcome, Pulis was happy with the defender’s performance, and following a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, the Argyle manager did not hesitate to extend his contract till the following year.
At the time, he told Sky Sports: “As we have made progress with him, he has improved.
“He got off to a decent start and has steadily improved. The performance on Saturday was excellent, in my opinion.
“It’s not a coincidence that the ball appears to strike him. He is at the right moment and in the right location.
Pulis’ support allowed Ward to solidify his place in the centre of defence, where he consistently outperformed his opponents and rarely needed to have his location questioned as he led his teammates.
| Elliott Ward’s Plymouth Argyle Championship stats (FBRef) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 16 |
| Starts | 15 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Clean sheets | 5 |
The loanee was a born leader despite his age, commanding his teammates to maintain discipline. This helped the team win games against teams like Cardiff City, Leicester City, and Southampton. He also scored his lone goal in green in a 1-1 draw with Wolves at Molineux.
Elliott Ward contributes to resolute Plymouth Argyle displays
With a record of just 46 goals given up in as many league games, Argyle was more than holding their own in the second division thanks to one of the competition’s most ruthless defences.
Only four teams were able to surpass that result, and the runners-upSheffield United had the same record, demonstrating the crucial role Ward had while he was a member of the team. In five of his 15 starts, the opposition failed to score.
The defender ended the season as he began, with Premier League action for West Ham under his belt, despite the Greens’ desire for him to stay for the remainder of the season. His exceptional efforts were duly rewarded.
He soon returned to the Championship following a rumoured seven-figure transfer to Coventry City, where he would create a successful career. Nevertheless, Home Park will always remember him fondly and he remains regarded as one of the club’s greatest loanees this century.
