Helen Ward (footballer) explained

Helen Ward
Fullname:Helen Jane Ward
Birth Date:1986 4, df=y
Birth Place:Brent, England
Position:Striker
Currentclub:Watford
Clubnumber:10
Youthclubs1:Watford
Years1:–2009
Years2:2009–2010
Years3:2010–2013
Years4:2013–2017
Years5:2017–2023
Years6:2021
Clubs1:Watford
Clubs2:Arsenal[1]
Clubs3:Chelsea
Clubs4:Reading
Clubs5:Watford
Clubs6:London Bees (loan)
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.[2] [3]

Ward moved to Chelsea Ladies in September 2010.[4]

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.[5] Ward returned to training ahead of the 2015 FA WSL 2 season, after giving birth to daughter Emily in September 2014.[6]

On 8 February 2017, Ward joined newly promoted FA WSL 1 side Yeovil Town Ladies,[7] but was forced to withdraw from her contract after announcing she was pregnant with her second child.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

In March 2023, Ward announced her retirement from football at the end of the 2023–24 season.[11] [12]

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.[13]

Ward represented England at Under-23 level, but, due to her Welsh maternal grandfather,[14] 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.[15]

In August 2010, Ward scored six goals in Wales' 15–0 win over Azerbaijan. She was listed as a Chelsea player.[16] By the time of Ward's 50th cap, against Belarus in September 2013, she had scored 30 international goals.[17] As of October 2021, Ward is the all-time top scorer for Wales with 44 goals in 105 appearances.[18] [19] [20]

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.[21]

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

International goals

Scores and results list Wales's goal tally first.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics 2008–2009. Arsenal F.C.. 8 June 2014.
  2. Web site: 20. Helen Lander. https://web.archive.org/web/20100131060924/http://www.arsenal.com/ladies/players/helen-lander. 31 January 2010. Arsenal F.C.. 13 August 2009.
  3. Web site: FA Women's Cup round four review. Tony. Leighton. BBC Sport. 18 January 2009. 8 June 2014.
  4. Web site: Women's weekly . https://archive.today/20140608115442/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2142918 . dead . 8 June 2014 . Chelsea F.C. . 8 June 2014 .
  5. Web site: Helen Ward Joins Reading. She Kicks. 2 December 2013. 1 December 2013.
  6. Web site: Strikers / Helen Ward. Reading F.C. Women. 18 February 2015.
  7. Web site: Welsh International Helen Ward joins for Spring Series . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075735/http://www.yeoviltownladies.com/news/welsh_international_helen_ward_joins_for_spring_series.html#1MCDETX2i7DwD4U6.97 . usurped . 11 February 2017 . Yeovil Town L.F.C. . 8 February 2017 . 8 February 2017 .
  8. Web site: Helen Ward: Pregnant Wales striker to miss Yeovil Town Ladies' season . BBC Sport . 24 March 2017 . 29 March 2017 .
  9. Web site: Ladies: Helen Ward Signs . Watford FC . 16 July 2018 . 28 August 2018 .
  10. Web site: Experienced Striker Helen Ward joins on short-term basis to boost Bees . London Bees . 6 February 2021 . 6 February 2021 .
  11. Web site: March 3, 2023 . Helen Ward: A Message From The Captain . 2024-06-10 . Watford F.C. . en.
  12. News: 2023-03-03 . Helen Ward: Wales' record scorer retires from international duty and will quit club football . 2024-06-10 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  13. Web site: Emma & Helen Get Capped . Watford Ladies Football Club . 29 September 2012 . 22 July 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131220181121/http://www.watfordladiesfc.com/news/article.php?article=142 . 20 December 2013.
  14. Web site: International Teams – Helen Lander. The Football Association of Wales. 8 June 2014. dead. https://archive.today/20140608115416/http://www.faw.org.uk/player-display?skip=38&squadno=48555&season=13/14&seasonl=2013/2014&Playertype=W. 8 June 2014.
  15. Web site: Wales hit Luxembourg for six. Women's Soccer Scene. 29 September 2012. 1 October 2008. 9 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509164731/https://womenssoccerscene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2008-2009/081001-04.htm. dead.
  16. Web site: Wales run riot against Azerbaijan. Women's Soccer Scene. 8 June 2014. 16 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516131726/https://womenssoccerscene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2010-2011/100822-03-womens-football-news.htm. dead.
  17. Web site: Chelsea Ladies striker Helen Ward says she has no regrets after choosing to play for Wales instead of England. Watford Observer. 7 November 2013. 6 October 2013. Adam. Newson.
  18. News: Wales 4-0 Estonia Women. BBC Sport.
  19. Web site: 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 . 23 September 2020 . 2 October 2020 . 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 . dead .
  20. News: Ward ready for her 100th Wales cap . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-04-08.
  21. Web site: Women: Ward Reaches 100 Caps For Wales! . Watford F.C. . 9 April 2022 .