Paul David Ware (7 November 1970 – 17 April 2013) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Cardiff City, Macclesfield Town, Nuneaton Borough, Rochdale, Stockport County and Stoke City.
Ware began his career with local side Stoke City making his debut in 1987–88. He became a popular player amongst the Stoke support and scored the winning goal against Peterborough United to see Stoke through to the 1992 Football League Trophy Final where they beat Stockport County 1–0. Ware played a major role in 1992–93 which saw Stoke win the Second Division title before he was sold to Stockport County in September 1994. Ware then went on to play for Cardiff City, Hednesford Town, Macclesfield Town, Nuneaton Borough, and Rochdale before ending his playing career with a return to Hednesford. After his playing career had ended he battled against a brain tumour and he died on 17 April 2013 aged 42.
In 2018 a street was named in his honour on the Victoria Park housing development built on the former Stoke City Football Ground.
Career Ware was born in Congleton and started his career in Stoke City's youth team before being handed a professional contract in 1987. He made his debut against Shrewsbury Town on the final day of the 1987–88 season. He played 15 times in 1988–89 scoring in a 1–0 victory away at Bournemouth. In 1989–90 Ware played in 19 matches as Stoke suffered relegation to the Third Division and the 1990–91 season saw Stoke finish in their lowest league position with Ware playing in 40 matches. Stoke's fortunes began to improve under new manager Lou Macari and Ware scored the winning goal against Peterborough United in the area final of the Football League Trophy sending Stoke through to play Stockport County at Wembley. Unfortunately for Ware, he missed the final due to injury as Stoke won 1–0. He played in 35 matches in 1992–93 as Stoke gained promotion back to the second tier.
He then joined Stockport County in September 1994 and spent three years at Edgeley Park which ended with him helping the club gain promotion in 1996–97. He spent time out on loan at Cardiff City and then spent two seasons at non-league Hednesford Town before joining Macclesfield Town. He then played on loan for Nuneaton Borough and ended his professional career with Rochdale before making a return to Hednesford Town.
Death In 2012 Ware had an operation to remove a brain tumour. He died in the early morning on 17 April 2013 after his health deteriorated having previously been in remission.
As part of the redevelopment of the Former Victoria Ground, Victoria Park in Stoke has a street named in his honour.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke City1987–88Second Division10000000101988–89Second Division1112010101511989–90Second Division1601010101901990–91Third Division3421030204021991–92Third Division2431000533061992–93Second Division2840030413551993–94First Division1000000010Total11510508013414114Stockport County1994–95Second Division1911020102311995–96Second Division2732040113441996–97Second Division80001110101Total544307131676Cardiff City (loan)1996–97Third Division5000000050Macclesfield Town1999–2000Third Division182001000192Nuneaton Borough (loan)1999–2000Conference National3300000033Rochdale2000–01Third Division3021020103422001–02Third Division8000100090Total382103010432Career total233219019117527827
A. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League Trophy and Full Members Cup.
Honours Stoke City Football League Division Two champions: 1992–93 Football League Trophy winner: 1992
Stockport County Football League Division Two runner-up: 1996–97
References
External links
Paul Ware tribute in the Independent Paul Ware tribute at Draw For Me The Boothen