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Helen Ward (footballer)

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

Helen Ward
Helen Ward in 2015
Personal information
Full name Helen Jane Ward[1]
Date of birth (1986-04-26) 26 April 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Brent, England
Position(s) Striker
Team 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)
2017–2023 Watford 37 (20)
2021 → London Bees (loan) 4 (0)
International career‡
2007 England U23 1 (0)
2008–2023 Wales[3] 105 (44)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2019
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01 May 2023

Helen Jane Ward (née Lander; born 26 April 1986) is a former international football striker who last played club football for Watford. 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 goal scorer and team captain.

Ward played for the England under-23 team in 2007, but chose to represent Wales at senior level in 2008. With 44 goals, she was the Welsh national team's all–time record goal scorer until Jess Fishlock broke her record on 14 July 2024 against Kosovo.

Club career

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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 F.C. Women, ahead of the 2017–18 season, before signing a contract extension ahead of the 2018–19 campaign with the club.[11]

In February 2021, Ward joined London Bees on a short-term dual registration basis, whilst her parent club waited for their season to resume due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

In March 2023, Ward announced her retirement from football at the end of the 2023–24 season.[13][14]

International career

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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.[15]

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.[16]

In August 2010, Ward scored six goals in Wales' 15–0 win over Azerbaijan. She was listed as a Chelsea player.[17] By the time of Ward's 50th cap, against Belarus in September 2013, she had scored 30 international goals.[18] As of October 2021, Ward is the all-time top scorer for Wales with 44 goals in 105 appearances.[19][20][21]

On 8 April 2022, Ward played her 100th match for Wales in a 2–1 defeat to France in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification.[22]

On 3 March 2023, Ward announced her retirement from international football.[14]

International goals

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Scores and results list Wales's goal tally first.

Recognition

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In 2024, a statue of Lady Rhondda was unveiled, which includes a circle of hands cast from forty women’s hands, among them the hands of Ward.[23]

References

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  1. ^ Helen Ward at Soccerway
  2. ^ "Statistics 2008–2009". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  3. ^ a b "International Teams – Helen Lander". The Football Association of Wales. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  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. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  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. ^ "Experienced Striker Helen Ward joins on short-term basis to boost Bees". London Bees. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Helen Ward: A Message From The Captain". Watford F.C. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Helen Ward: Wales' record scorer retires from international duty and will quit club football". BBC Sport. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Emma & Helen Get Capped". Watford Ladies Football Club. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  16. ^ "Wales hit Luxembourg for six". Women's Soccer Scene. 1 October 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  17. ^ "Wales run riot against Azerbaijan". Women's Soccer Scene. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Wales 4-0 Estonia Women". BBC Sport.
  20. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Ward ready for her 100th Wales cap". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  22. ^ "Women: Ward Reaches 100 Caps For Wales!". Watford F.C. 9 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Newport: Statue honouring suffragette Lady Rhondda unveiled". www.bbc.com.
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