BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
Sitting on the bench as an unused substitute throughout an entire FA Cup final victory is painful for any player but it gave Crystal Palace club captain Joel Ward time to reflect on the magnitude on what was happening in front of him.
The SE25 outfit saw off Manchester City 1-0 to claim their first major silverware thanks to a 16th-minute Ebere Eze strike on Saturday.
It was the end of a momentous week for Ward, which not only saw him become a father again, but announce that he would be leaving the South Londoners after joining the Eagles at the beginning of the 2012-13 season, helping them win promotion to the Premier League, where they have stayed ever since.
“Do you know what? For a large majority of the game, especially towards mid-third, I had a real sense of peace,” explained the defender to the _South London Press_ when asked about what he was feeling on the touchline while watching history unfold in front of him.
“I think you get a feeling. This group of lads had come so far in this competition and, together, it wasn’t a moment that was going to slip through their fingers. It was just beautiful.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Emirates FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, 17 May 2025
Picture: Keith Gillard
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be on the journey with them and to share some special times with this group of lads – and lads before as well – but with this group of lads, it’s been very, very special.”
As the game slipped away from Manchester City, Ward acted as a peacemaker helping calm down a member of the opposition coaching team who had approached Palace coach Paddy McCarthy with some strong opinions. Ward quickly diffused it, swiftly stopping any distractions to the task in hand.
“It is what it is – emotions of course, but our main focus was on the game, and that’s what we made it about. We knew if we stuck to our principles and our plan and we gave ourselves an incredible chance and a great, incredible opportunity,” said Ward, before switching his attention to the positive influence that manager Oliver Glasner has had on the team, since joining last year.
“He’s really set the bar for us. He demands a lot from us, day in, day out. But he doesn’t demand what he knows we can’t give.
“He knows us so well, and that’s one of his strengths. He knows each player. He knows their strengths and their weaknesses and how to maximise every ounce of energy and ability from each and every one of us. He set the bar. He’s taken us so far. It’s the start of, hopefully something incredibly special for this club, going forward.”
Ward has featured just twice for the Eagles this season, in a league cup game in August and last month, coming on for his only Premier League game this season, in the 2-1 win against Brighton at home.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Emirates FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, 17 May 2025
Picture: Keith Gillard
And despite the lack of match action, the former Portsmouth player found it hard to hold back the tears about his experience at Wembley, one which saw him lift the cup at the full-time whistle with captain Marc Guehi.
“I have so many different emotions,” explained Ward when asked about his moment in the centre circle by himself when the rest of his squad were celebrating with the cup in front of the Palace fans.
“I’ve got my family there – my wife gave birth two days ago. It’s my baby girl, my daughter, there are a lot of emotions. I just was trying to soak it all in really, and take a moment to reflect and look and see the guys who have put in an enormous shift.
“It’s been a different role, but one I’ve enjoyed,” he added about his work with the squad off of the pitch. “One I’ve learned a lot along the way of how to just support and, hopefully, pass on a little bit of wisdom and guidance along the way.”
And with two games remaining this season, at home against Wolves on Tuesday and Liverpool, there could be a chance for the 35-year-old to make one last appearance in the red-and-blue stripes but, whatever happens, the defender knows it is time to move on and is full of praise for the younger players coming through, with wing back Daniel Munoz – winner of the FA Cup final man of the match award – just one example.
“Anyone could have won it today – everyone’s played their part, and everyone’s taken this mantle and knew what it was to get this game across the line,” said Ward. “But Dani (Munoz), what a guy, man. First and foremost, he’s a fantastic player, but he brings a different edge. Honestly, he epitomises Palace in the way in which he works – his effort, his passion and desire and attitude goes way above his ability. He’s got a hell of a future ahead of him. Just incredible.”
With Europa League action confirmed for next season, the first-ever major UEFA competition for the club and an FA Community Shield clash with Liverpool at Wembley to look forward to, does Ward wish he was 10 years younger and could be part of this new chapter for the SE25 side?
“I like to think I look back with no regrets,” he said with a smile.
“What is my ceiling is only just the beginning for this next generation of lads coming through for Palace. It’s a fitting way to sign off at what has been a place that I can call home for such a large part of my career. It’s a fairytale ending for what’s been an incredible chapter in my career so far.”
MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD