Ricky Wellard Explained

Ricky Wellard
Fullname:Ricky Ben Wellard
Birth Date:9 May 1988
Birth Place:Hammersmith, England
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:AFC Bournemouth
Years1:2005–2009
Years2:2009–2012
Clubs2:AFC Wimbledon
Caps2:79
Goals2:4
Years3:2011
Clubs3:Cambridge United (loan)
Caps3:9
Goals3:0
Years4:2012–2013
Caps4:17
Goals4:1
Years5:2012
Clubs5:Salisbury City (loan)
Caps5:3
Goals5:1
Years6:2013–2014
Clubs6:Salisbury City
Caps6:46
Goals6:1
Years7:2014–2015
Clubs7:Sutton United
Caps7:30
Goals7:3
Years8:2015–2016
Clubs8:Welling United
Caps8:28
Goals8:1
Years9:2016
Caps9:12
Goals9:1
Years10:2016–2018
Clubs10:Wealdstone
Caps10:61
Goals10:6
Years11:2018–2019
Caps11:30
Goals11:0
Years12:2019
Clubs12:Salisbury
Caps12:2
Goals12:0
Years13:2019–2022
Clubs13:Bedfont Sports
Caps13:31
Goals13:6
Years14:2023–
Clubs14:Farnham Town
Club-Update:116:04, 25 March 2024 (UTC)

Ricky Ben Wellard (born 9 May 1988) is an Ex-Professional footballer who is currently the U16 Head Coach at AFC Bournemouth

Career

Ashford Town (Middlesex)

Wellard was born in Hammersmith, London. He came through the ranks of the Ashford Town (Middlesex) and made his debut for the Tangerines against Stourport Swifts on 8 January 2005, as a late sub for Anthony Eggington.[1] He went on to make 190 first team appearances for Ashford Town including scoring the winning goal in the 2009 Surrey Senior Cup final.[2] During his time at the club Wellard was also groundsman at Short Lane. In the summer of 2008, AFC Wimbledon had a transfer bid rejected which was described as 'derisory' by the Ashford board.[3] However, the Dons second bid the following summer was more successful for an undisclosed fee plus add-ons.[4] At the time of the transfer, Wellard was one of only three players to have ever commanded a transfer fee at Ashford, with the others being Dannie Bulman and Richard Butler.[1]

AFC Wimbledon

Wellard became a regular in the AFC Wimbledon side and made 43 appearances in his first season for the Dons as they didn't quite make the Conference play-offs.[5] His second season at the club saw him move down the pecking order in central midfield in January after the arrival of James Mulley. In February 2011, Wellard was sent on loan to fellow Conference side Cambridge United on a month-long loan.[6] However, he was recalled early from his loan by Terry Brown due to an injury crisis at the Kingsmeadow Stadium.[7] He regained his place in the Dons' first team and eventually played in the 2011 Conference Play-off final win over Luton Town, which saw the Dons gain a place in the Football League.[8] In May 2012, Wellard was released from the club due to the expiry of his contract.[9]

Cambridge United

Wellard signed a two-year contract with The U's on 18 May 2012[10] following his release from AFC Wimbledon earlier in the month. U's boss Jez George was quick to snap up the midfielder early in the summer transfer window in a deal which saw the Londoner return to the Abbey Stadium on a permanent basis following a popular loan spell back in February 2011.

In November 2012, he joined Conference South side Salisbury City on a one-month loan deal.[11]

Salisbury City

After a successful loan spell at Salisbury, he returned permanently, signing a contract until the end of the 2013–14 season. He featured in the squad regularly, and scored a vital free kick in the Conference South play-off final against Dover Athletic.

Sutton United

He signed for Sutton United in July 2014, and made his debut against Winchester City in a pre-season friendly.

Welling United

In May 2015, he signed for National League side Welling United on a free transfer.[12]

Wealdstone

In 2016, he signed for Wealdstone. He left the club in May 2018.

Bedfont

On 25 December 2019, Wellard moved to Bedfont Sports.[13]

Farnham Town

In July 2023, Wellard joined Combined Counties Football League Premier Division South club Farnham Town.[14]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
AFC Wimbledon2009–10[15] Conference Premier321203[16] 1372
2010–11[17] Conference Premier252405[18] 0342
2011–12League Two22130102[19] 0281
Total7949010101995
Cambridge United (loan)2010–11[20] Conference Premier9090
Cambridge United2012–13Conference Premier1711000181
Total2611000271
Salisbury City2012–13Conference South1814[21] 1222
2013–14Conference Premier3111010331
Total4921051553
Sutton United2014–15Conference South3030010313
Welling United2015–16National League2814121343
Hemel Hempstead Town2015–16National League South1210000121
Wealdstone2016–17National League South3631000373
2017–181200021141
Total483100021514
Bedfont Sports2019–20[22] Isthmian League South Central8020100
2020–21[23] Isthmian League South Central30200050
2021–22[24] Isthmian League South Central2064200248
Total316620020398
Career total303212231022434828

Honours

AFC Wimbledon

Salisbury City

Notes and References

  1. News: No Bones . 29 July 2011 . 29 July 2011.
  2. News: Tangerines dig deep to win Surrey Senior Cup . 29 July 2011 . 29 July 2011.
  3. News: Wellard set for Wimbledon Talks . 20 May 2009 . 29 July 2011.
  4. News: DONS FINALLY GET THEIR MAN . 26 August 2009 . 29 July 2011.
  5. News: Player Profile – Ricky Wellard . 1 August 2011 . 1 August 2011.
  6. News: Dons midfielder Ricky Wellard joins Cambridge United on loan . 11 February 2011 . 1 August 2011.
  7. News: Dons boss explains Ricky Wellard decision . 22 March 2011 . 1 August 2011.
  8. News: AFC Wimbledon beat Luton on penalties to reach the Football League . 21 May 2011 . 1 August 2011 . London . The Guardian . Sachin . Nakrani.
  9. News: AFC Wimbledon release nine players . 8 May 2012 . 9 May 2012 . London . London 24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120528095909/http://www.london24.com/sport/jamie_stuart_chris_bush_fraser_franks_gareth_gwillim_brett_johnson_reece_jones_ricky_wellard_kieran_djililali_and_jack_turner_have_all_left_the_club_afc_wimbledon_release_transfer_news_1_1372051 . 28 May 2012 .
  10. News: Jez collars Wellard . 18 May 2012 . 18 May 2012.
  11. News: Whites swoop for Wellard . 21 November 2012 . 28 November 2012.
  12. News: Ricky Wellard: Welling sign ex-AFC Wimbledon midfielder . BBC Sport . 29 May 2015 . 4 August 2015.
  13. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bedfontsportsfc/news/welcome-ricky-wellard-2497899.html WELCOME RICKY WELLARD
  14. 1682130826509578242. ✍️ Farnham Town are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Ricky Wellard for the 23/24 season! @wellard_8 has had a storied career in football, playing in the Football League with AFC Wimbledon and has amassed over 190 appearances with Step 1 clubs during his time with the Dons, Cambridge United, Salisbury City and Welling United. Having also played under @Johno1006 & @Jimmy_Hibburt at Bedfont Sports, Ricky will be in the squad this Saturday to play @TheCurfews at The Memorial Ground as our pre-season rumbles on. . FarnhamTownFC. Farnham Town F.C.. 20 July 2023. 25 March 2024.
  15. Book: Tony . Williams . James . Wright . Non-League Club Directory 2011 . 2010 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-68-8 . 26–27.
  16. Appearances in FA Trophy
  17. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2012 . 2011 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-70-1 . 162–163.
  18. Two appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference Premier play-offs
  19. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  20. Book: Williams . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2012 . 52–53.
  21. One appearance in FA Trophy, three appearances and one goal in Conference South play-offs
  22. Web site: Bedfont Sports – Appearances – Ricky Wellard – 2019-2020. www.footballwebpages.co.uk. 25 March 2024.
  23. Web site: Bedfont Sports – Appearances – Ricky Wellard – 2020-2021. www.footballwebpages.co.uk. 25 March 2024.
  24. Web site: Bedfont Sports – Appearances – Ricky Wellard – 2021-2022. www.footballwebpages.co.uk. 25 March 2024.