Football: Slimbridge star Ward joins Cirencester (From Gazette Series)

Freddy Ward joins Cirencester after Slimbridge lose to Easington Sports

9:12am Thursday 22nd October 2009 in Gloucestershire Sport

SLIMBRIDGE have endured their most difficult week of the season after suffering their first league defeat and losing influential midfielder Freddy Ward.

Ward has joined Zamaretto Division One South and West leaders Cirencester Town and came off the bench to make his debut in their 3-2 win over Andover on Tuesday night.

“Freddy played for Slimbridge when they beat us in pre-season,” said Cirencester boss Hughes.

“He has had Southern League experience with Bishop’s Cleeve and I think he is looking for a greater challenge as Slimbridge are battering everyone in the Hellenic at the moment.

“He has trained with us twice and has a good engine, but I have told him not to expect to walk into the side.”

Ward was part of the Hellenic Premier-winning squad in the 2006/7 season and will join former Slimbridge team-mate Carl Brown, who has starred at Cirencester since joining them last season and is currently the club’s top goalscorer.

Slimbridge have signed midfielder Paul Carter from Hardwicke to try and plug the gap left by Ward.

The Gazette also understands that striker Craig Cole has left Slimbridge.

James Cole’s side are still top of Hellenic Division One West despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Easington Sports.

Slimbridge are yet to win in five games this month following their heavy 6-1 win over Binfield in the Challenge Cup at the end of September.

Purton are now only one point behind with a game in hand.

Slimbridge travel to Clanfield on Saturday.