Ward, 42, was arrested at a house he rented in Prescot, Merseyside back in May when police seized 4 kilos (9lb) of the class-A drug.
He admitted knowing the drugs were on the premises but denied that he was the owner of the drugs.
In sentencing Ward at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge John Phipps said, “It is indeed regrettable to see a former professional footballer of your ability reduced to this.
“Since your retirement from professional football 10 years or so ago life has been difficult for you and you have very much fallen on hard times but you have got yourself involved in drugs trafficking.”
Ward, who also played for Everton, West Ham and Manchester City amongst others, spent two years at St Andrew's between March 1994 and March 1996 making eighty appearances for Blues before leaving for Huddersfield Town on a free transfer.