Peter Ward
Following promotion from Division Four in 1991, County manager Danny Bergara made one significant signing, that of Peter Ward.
Although the midfield player took time to settle into the side, his contribution to the team over the next four seasons was immense.
There is little doubt that Ward was a tenacious battler, and not the kind of midfield player who has a tendency to drift in and out of a game, but there was much more to his game than that.
His ability to direct long accurate passes was often overlooked, as was his close control when, unfortunately too rarely, he carried the ball into the opposition's penalty area.
For a midfield player, it might be argued that Ward did not score as often as he should, but the goals he did score could rarely be described as 'ordinary'.
Two of his goals have effectively taken County to Wembley: a swerving free kick in the Play-Off Semi Final against Stoke City in 1992, and a delicate chip in the second leg of the Autoglass Trophy Northern Final against Wigan Athletic in 1993.
POSSESSED
He possessed a wonderful left foot and, on a number of occasions, showed that he can make defenders pay dearly for conceding free kicks near the edge of the penalty area.
After beginning his career in his native North-East with Chester-le-Street, Ward signed for Huddersfield Town in January 1987.
In two and a half seasons at Leeds Road, he made 37 League appearances, 12 as substitute, before moving to Rochdale in July 1989.
In his first season at Spotland, he was an influential figure in Rochdale's history-making run to the fifth round of the FA Cup where they were beaten, somewhat unfortunately, by eventual finalists Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The resolution he demonstrated in his 99 League and Cup appearances for Rochdale was sufficiently impressive to persuade County to bring him to Edgeley Park in a cash plus player deal which took Mark Payne to Spotland.
FORGED
During his second season at Edgeley Park, Peter Ward was made captain, and he forged, with David Frain, one of County's best-ever midfield partnerships.
It was a huge disappointment to the Hatters faithful when Dave Jones accepted Wrexham's £50,000 offer for the midfielder in the summer of 1995.
Dragon's boss Brian Flynn felt Ward's experience would benefit Wrexham's young players and the Durham-born star didn't disappoint.
In 1996-97 Ward inspired the North Wales outfit to the FA Cup sixth round following memorable victories over Birmingham and West Ham.
The following season he helped the Red Dragons lift the Welsh Premier Cup.
In a little under four years at the Racecourse Ward made 155 senior appearances, scoring 17 goals.
Peter Ward finally called time on his distinguished career after one game on loan at Morecambe in 1999.
The appearance for the Shrimpers was his 482nd first-team game since leaving his native Chester-le-Street and signing for Huddersfield 12 years previously.
Club Date Signed Apps Gls Huddersfield Town Jan 1987 37 2 Rochdale Jul 1989 84 10 Stockport County Jun 1991 142 10 Wrexham Jul 1995 129 15 Morecambe (L) Oct 1999 1 0
