:Helen Ward (footballer)
{{Short description|Welsh footballer (born 1986)}}
{{other people|Helen Ward}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Helen Ward
| fullname = Helen Jane Ward{{Soccerway|18077|Helen Ward}}
| image = 20150922 1804 W AUT WAL 3835.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Helen Ward in 2015
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1986|04|26}}
| birth_place = Brent, England
| height =
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Watford
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Watford
| years1 = {{0|0000}}–2009
| years2 = 2009–2010
| years3 = 2010–2013
| years4 = 2013–2017
| years5 = 2017–2023
| years6 = 2021
| clubs1 = Watford
| clubs2 = Arsenal{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/ladies/statistics?season=2008/09|title=Statistics 2008–2009|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|accessdate=8 June 2014}}
| clubs3 = Chelsea
| clubs4 = Reading
| clubs5 = Watford
| clubs6 = → London Bees (loan)
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| caps2 = 27
| goals2 = 8
| caps3 = 41
| goals3 = 12
| caps4 = 27
| goals4 = 11
| caps5 = 37
| goals5 = 20
| caps6 = 4
| goals6 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2007
| nationalteam1 = England U23
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2008–2023
| nationalteam2 = Wales
| nationalcaps2 = 105
| nationalgoals2 = 44
| club-update = 10 November 2019
| nationalteam-update = 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
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/ladies/players/helen-lander|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131060924/http://www.arsenal.com/ladies/players/helen-lander|archivedate=31 January 2010|title=20. Helen Lander|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|accessdate=13 August 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/7823210.stm|title=FA Women's Cup round four review|first=Tony|last=Leighton|work=BBC Sport|date=18 January 2009|accessdate=8 June 2014}}
Ward moved to Chelsea Ladies in September 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2142918 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140608115442/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2142918 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 June 2014 |title=Women's weekly |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |accessdate=8 June 2014 }}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/9003|title=Helen Ward Joins Reading|publisher=She Kicks|accessdate=2 December 2013|date=1 December 2013}} Ward returned to training ahead of the 2015 FA WSL 2 season, after giving birth to daughter Emily in September 2014.{{cite web|title=Strikers / Helen Ward|url=http://reading.fawsl.com/playerProfile/helen_ward.html|publisher=Reading F.C. Women|accessdate=18 February 2015|archive-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008230136/http://reading.fawsl.com/playerProfile/helen_ward.html|url-status=dead}}
On 8 February 2017, Ward joined newly promoted FA WSL 1 side Yeovil Town Ladies,{{cite web |url=http://www.yeoviltownladies.com/news/welsh_international_helen_ward_joins_for_spring_series.html#1MCDETX2i7DwD4U6.97 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075735/http://www.yeoviltownladies.com/news/welsh_international_helen_ward_joins_for_spring_series.html#1MCDETX2i7DwD4U6.97 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 February 2017 |title=Welsh International Helen Ward joins for Spring Series |publisher=Yeovil Town L.F.C. |date=8 February 2017 |accessdate=8 February 2017 }} but was forced to withdraw from her contract after announcing she was pregnant with her second child.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39387650 |title=Helen Ward: Pregnant Wales striker to miss Yeovil Town Ladies' season |work=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2017 |accessdate=29 March 2017 }}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/ladies/ladies-helen-ward-signs?page=2 |title=Ladies: Helen Ward Signs |publisher=Watford FC |date=16 July 2018 |accessdate=28 August 2018 }}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.londonbeesfc.com/experienced-striker-helen-ward-joins-on-short-term-basis-to-boost-bees/ |title=Experienced Striker Helen Ward joins on short-term basis to boost Bees |publisher=London Bees |date=6 February 2021 |accessdate=6 February 2021 }}
In March 2023, Ward announced her retirement from football at the end of the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Helen Ward: A Message From The Captain |url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/helen-ward-a-message-from-the-captain |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Watford F.C. |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-03-03 |title=Helen Ward: Wales' record scorer retires from international duty and will quit club football |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64829812 |access-date=2024-06-10 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordladiesfc.com/news/article.php?article=142 |title=Emma & Helen Get Capped |publisher=Watford Ladies Football Club |accessdate=29 September 2012 |date=22 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220181121/http://www.watfordladiesfc.com/news/article.php?article=142 |archivedate=20 December 2013}}
Ward represented England at Under-23 level, but, due to her Welsh maternal grandfather,{{cite web|url=http://www.faw.org.uk/player-display?skip=38&squadno=48555&season=13/14&seasonl=2013/2014&Playertype=W|title=International Teams – Helen Lander|publisher=The Football Association of Wales|accessdate=8 June 2014|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140608115416/http://www.faw.org.uk/player-display?skip=38&squadno=48555&season=13/14&seasonl=2013/2014&Playertype=W|archivedate=8 June 2014}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.womenssoccerscene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2008-2009/081001-04.htm|title=Wales hit Luxembourg for six|publisher=Women's Soccer Scene|accessdate=29 September 2012|date=1 October 2008|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509164731/https://womenssoccerscene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2008-2009/081001-04.htm|url-status=dead}}
In August 2010, Ward scored six goals in Wales' 15–0 win over Azerbaijan. She was listed as a Chelsea player.{{cite web|url=http://www.womenssoccerscene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2010-2011/100822-03-womens-football-news.htm|title=Wales run riot against Azerbaijan|publisher=Women's Soccer Scene|accessdate=8 June 2014|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516131726/https://womenssoccerscene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2010-2011/100822-03-womens-football-news.htm|url-status=dead}} By the time of Ward's 50th cap, against Belarus in September 2013, she had scored 30 international goals.{{cite web|url=http://m.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10716034.Hornet_at_heart_Helen_makes_landmark_Wales_appearance/|title=Chelsea Ladies striker Helen Ward says she has no regrets after choosing to play for Wales instead of England|publisher=Watford Observer|accessdate=7 November 2013|date=6 October 2013|first=Adam|last=Newson}} As of October 2021, Ward is the all-time top scorer for Wales with 44 goals in 105 appearances.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58950940|title=Wales 4-0 Estonia Women|work=BBC Sport}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newschain.uk/lifestyle/watford-striker-and-wales-all-time-leading-scorer-helen-ward-turning-down-england-juggling-football-and-family-and-retiring-after-euro-2021-or-maybe-not-2987 |title=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!) |website=News Chain |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=2 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002002500/https://www.newschain.uk/lifestyle/watford-striker-and-wales-all-time-leading-scorer-helen-ward-turning-down-england-juggling-football-and-family-and-retiring-after-euro-2021-or-maybe-not-2987 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |title=Ward ready for her 100th Wales cap |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61025160 |access-date=2022-04-08}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/women-ward-reaches-100-caps-for-wales |title=Women: Ward Reaches 100 Caps For Wales! |website=Watford F.C. |date=9 April 2022 }}
On 3 March 2023, Ward announced her retirement from international football.
=International goals=
:Scores and results list Wales's goal tally first.
Legacy
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgl54nydwno|title=Newport: Statue honouring suffragette Lady Rhondda unveiled|website=www.bbc.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20140608115416/http://www.faw.org.uk/player-display?skip=38&squadno=48555&season=13/14&seasonl=2013/2014&Playertype=W Profile]}} at the Football Association of Wales (FAW)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130613122328/http://chelsea.fawsl.com/playerProfile/helen_ward.html Profile] at Chelsea Ladies
{{Watford F.C. Women squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Helen}}
Category:Welsh women's footballers
Category:21st-century Welsh sportswomen
Category:Wales women's international footballers
Category:Watford F.C. Women players
Category:Arsenal W.F.C. players
Category:Chelsea F.C. Women players
Category:FA Women's National League players
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Brent
Category:Women's Super League players
Category:England women's under-23 international footballers
Category:Barnet F.C. Ladies players
Category:Reading F.C. Women players
Category:Yeovil Town L.F.C. players
Category:English women's footballers
Category:Women's association football forwards
Category:Women's Super League 2 players
Category:FIFA Women's Century Club