Helen Ward (footballer)

Helen Jane Ward (née Lander; born 26 April 1986) is an international football striker who is currently playing club football for FA Women's National League South team Watford Ladies. Ward previously spent three seasons with Chelsea Ladies, whom she joined from Arsenal in 2010. Born in the London Borough of Brent, Ward began her career with 14 years at Watford Ladies where she was a prolific goalscorer and team captain.

For other people named Helen Ward, see Helen Ward (disambiguation).

Helen Ward
Helen Ward in 2015
Personal information
Full name Helen Jane[1] Ward
Date of birth (1986-04-26) 26 April 1986
Place of birth Brent, England
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Watford
Number 10
Youth career
Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–2009 Watford
2009–2010 Arsenal[2] 27 (8)
2010–2013 Chelsea 41 (12)
2013–2017 Reading 27 (11)
2017– Watford 37 (20)
National team‡
2007 England U23 1 (0)
2008– Wales[3] 89 (42)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 November 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 September 2020

Ward played for the England women's national under-23 football team in 2007, but chose to represent Wales at senior level in 2008. With over 30 goals, she is the Welsh national team's all–time record goalscorer.

Club career

Ward began her career with Watford Ladies, joining at the age of nine and progressing to become captain of the senior side. She left to join Arsenal Ladies in January 2009, scoring on her debut later that month as Arsenal beat Colchester United in the FA Women's Cup.[4][5]

Ward moved to Chelsea Ladies in September 2010.[6]

In December 2013, Ward announced a transfer from Chelsea to Reading. There she was reunited with former Arsenal and Wales teammate Jayne Ludlow, who was Reading's manager.[7] Ward returned to training ahead of the 2015 FA WSL 2 season, after giving birth to daughter Emily in September 2014.[8]

On 8 February 2017, Ward joined newly promoted FA WSL 1 side Yeovil Town Ladies,[9] but was forced to withdraw from her contract after announcing she was pregnant with her second child.[10]

The forward joined home town Watford FC Ladies, ahead of the 2017–18 season, before signing a contract extension ahead of the 2018/19 campaign with the club.[11]

International career

In July 2007, Ward made a 10-minute substitute appearance for the England women's national under-23 football team in a 4–1 Nordic Cup defeat by Finland.[12]

Ward represented England at Under-23 level, but, due to her Welsh maternal grandfather,[3] she made her senior debut for Wales against Luxembourg on 30 September 2008. Wales came from behind to win 6–1, with Ward scoring the second goal.[13]

In August 2010, Ward scored six goals in Wales' 15–0 win over Azerbaijan. She was listed as a Chelsea player.[14] By the time of Ward's 50th cap, against Belarus in September 2013, she had scored 30 international goals.[15] As of December 2019, Ward is the all-time top scorer for Wales with 42 goals in 88 appearances.[16]

International goals
Scores and results list Wales's goal tally first.

References
  1. "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/10/2009 and 31 October 2009" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  2. "Statistics 2008–2009". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  3. "International Teams – Helen Lander". The Football Association of Wales. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  4. "20. Helen Lander". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  5. Leighton, Tony (18 January 2009). "FA Women's Cup round four review". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  6. "Women's weekly". Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  7. "Helen Ward Joins Reading". She Kicks. 1 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  8. "Strikers / Helen Ward". Reading F.C. Women. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  9. "Welsh International Helen Ward joins for Spring Series". Yeovil Town L.F.C. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  10. "Helen Ward: Pregnant Wales striker to miss Yeovil Town Ladies' season". BBC Sport. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  11. "Ladies: Helen Ward Signs". Watford FC. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  12. "Emma & Helen Get Capped". Watford Ladies Football Club. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  13. "Wales hit Luxembourg for six". Women's Soccer Scene. 1 October 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  14. "Wales run riot against Azerbaijan". Women's Soccer Scene. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  15. Newson, Adam (6 October 2013). "Chelsea Ladies striker Helen Ward says she has no regrets after choosing to play for Wales instead of England". Watford Observer. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  16. "Watford striker and Wales' all-time leading scorer Helen Ward on turning down England, juggling football and family and retiring after Euro 2021 (or maybe not!)". News Chain. 19 December 2019.
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