But while Gordon is the man Ward would love to hate, the elder campaigner admitted he had found it impossible to bear a grudge.
Ward was a key player for Sunderland as they won the Championship last season.
But boss Roy Keane pursued Gordon all summer before landing him for a UK record fee for a goalkeeper, which has resulted in Ward playing only once – in the Carling Cup exit to Luton.
The 33-year-old said: "Craig is a great lad - unfortunately!
"I can't even dislike him for coming in and taking the shirt I had last year.
"He is a joy to work with. He's very dedicated in his approach to goalkeeping and we have plenty of banter in training.
"We get on particularly well even though we are both fighting it out for just one place.
"And ultimately, whoever plays, the other wants them to do well for the team.
"Craig has hit the ground running and he comes across as being very much at home at Sunderland already."
The Black Cats could certainly do with one of their goalkeepers having a clean sheet at Manchester City on Monday.
Their only shut out of the season came in the 1-0 win over Spurs on the opening day of the campaign.
And Ward would love to be the man in with a chance of improving that record having taken his situation with dignity.
He said: ""A professional footballer knows his lot and, as we all know, things in football can change very quickly.
"Certainly throughout my career it has been a case of taking the rough with the smooth.
"On a personal level, I am not playing at the moment and that isn't ideal, but it is great to be training every day with Premiership quality players and being part of a squad that the manager has assembled.
"I know my role and I'll continue to strive to get into the team.
"I'm not resting on my laurels and I don't want anyone to think that I am content to be number two, but sometimes you have to deal with the hand you have been dealt and just get on with it.
"There are always opportunities over the course of a season - they can come round through injuries, suspensions or squad rotation.
"Circumstances in football change very rapidly and I just have to stay focused and be ready to take my chance whenever it might come.
"But I still feel part of the manager's plans and that is good."