APIA coach Gary Ward hoping to replicate success

Former striker Gary Ward has returned to the APIA Leichhardt Tigers aiming to replicate his successful time at the club in the late 1980s.
The former striker had stints in England and Canada, before coming to Australia to play for Preston, Brunswick Juventus, Melbourne Croatia and West Adelaide Hellas before ending up at the Tigers in 1987 which went on a 27-game unbeaten run to win the national league.
After retiring at 31, Ward took a step away from football but later turned to coaching youngsters.
“I was playing full time football when I was 16 so when people said I retired a bit early at 31 and I could have gone on, they don’t realise that that was 15 years,’’ he said.
“I had a problem with my hips, I couldn’t accelerate anymore.
“You got to be able to give 100% and I couldn’t give 100% so I retired early.
“I coached kids and then I had a family. My son Simon who scored the third goal for the 20s today is only 18 but he is a good player and that’s what got me back at the club here.’’
Ward took to the dugout for the first time in APIAs 3-1 loss to the Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
He is now eager to sign a few more player to make his side competitive for the season.
“We’ve got Daniel Zenneli who has been playing in Asia who is 6 foot 2 and fit,’’ Ward said.
“He played in the premier league two seasons ago, he has a fantastic CV, is only 23 and is a really good defender.
“I guess the way we defended (against Bonnyrigg) at times and with injuries to a couple of defenders and the sending off of Adel (El Jamal) I am glad he is arriving.
“I am also on the verge of signing Evan Berger. He was at the Melbourne Victory under Ernie Merrick and he is at the Perth Glory at the moment.
“I actually probably need another striker as well. But what do you do I’ve got Nik Taneski who is 18 years old and has been at Sydney FC.
“We’ve got George Khoury as a forward and he is only 20 years old.
“So at the end of the day I don’t think we will be swilling champagne in the cup at the end of the season but I do expect us to get into the finals.’’ 
-By Chris Georges