Town fans can now enjoy a little slice of our exclusive interview with Goalkeeper Lewis Ward in this Saturday's edition of 'town.'
Ward is the cover star for this weekend's Official Matchday Magazine with Bradford City the visitors to The County Ground - 3pm Kick-Off.
Town sat down with the 'keeper for a lengthy interview about his journey to SN1, his season so far, staying ready and life after football, and fans can now read a snippet before Saturday's big game...
Lewis, it was an interesting summer for you in that you came on trial here before the new Ownership came in and it was a bit of an uncertain time for you as well as for the Club, so just talk us through that period and what it was like for you...
"I was well aware that my time at Exeter was coming to an end. I had been sent out on loan in January to Portsmouth which wasn't my decision, I was just forced out and told I was never going to play again. I had to find a new home from a mental point of view just to make sure I was happier and healthier and not just sat around doing nothing. I spoke to a lot of people in the summer and it got quite serious before everything happened, we were talking terms before the court case happened. That was difficult because I basically signed and then everything fell apart, so it was quite a tough summer from that point of view because I didn't know if it was going through. I was trialing elsewhere and, at one point, I was training in the morning here, playing games for other teams in the evening and then vice-versa. I actually got quite a lot of minutes over preseason but, luckily, everything went well, the Ownership is now in better hands, it all went in the right direction and I was able to sign 10 days before the season started which was nice. I was one of the first few names through the door in the new era."
What first attracted you to the Football Club and really persuaded you to be a part of what's being built here?
"Playing against Swindon previously, I played here when they were top and they were going for promotion and there was about 14 or 15 thousand here on Saturday and it was an amazing atmosphere. I wanted that and that really attracted me. The way Mildy was talking to me in the summer really made me want to work with him, we built a really good relationship really quickly and we've got a really good goalkeeping department with Jojo as well. We've got a really nice work ethic and work environment and that's really important because I've been to places where it has been toxic, it has been horrible and nobody speaks in training, whereas here everyone is communicating, everyone is talking and we're serious, but we're also having a laugh every day and that for me was really important and I needed to be somewhere where I was wanted and needed and felt a part of the team."
You mentioned Mildy there, what is it like working with him on a daily basis?
"Mildy has been great. At one point he was Manager, CEO, Chief Scout and I think he might have even been the Physio at the same time too, but he did a lot over the summer for the club, he obviously came through the Club's Academy and he is a legend here. Being on the bench against Plymouth was a highlight for him and I think a lot of people are disappointed that maybe I didn't throw an injury to get him an appearance at 43! He's been excellent and he's one of the main reasons why our goalkeeping department is so strong, and why it is so workable because if he wasn't talking to me and Jojo constantly, then we could be at each other's throats which nobody wants. He's really good at talking to both of us and keeping it all light-hearted and positive.
Enjoyed that? To read our chat with Lewis Ward in full, download Saturday's edition of 'town' RIGHT HERE for just £2.
There will also be hard copies of our Official Matchday Magazine on sale from the STFC Store and outside the ground prior to kick-off on Saturday for £3.
Get your tickets for Saturday's game against Bradford City right here!
