Helen Ward (footballer)


Helen Jane Ward 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.
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.
Ward moved to Chelsea Ladies in September 2010.
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. Ward returned to training ahead of the 2015 FA WSL 2 season, after giving birth to daughter Emily in September 2014.
On 8 February 2017, Ward joined newly promoted FA WSL 1 side Yeovil Town Ladies, but was forced to withdraw from her contract after announcing she was pregnant with her second child.
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.

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.
Ward represented England at Under-23 level, but, due to her Welsh maternal grandfather, 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.
In August 2010 Ward scored six goals in Wales' 15–0 win over Azerbaijan. She was listed as a Chelsea player. By the time of Ward's 50th cap, against Belarus in September 2013, she had scored 30 international goals.

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentResultCompetitionScored
130 September 2008Stade Alphonse Theis, Hesperange6–1Friendly1
212 November 2008Richmond Park, Carmarthen1–2Friendly1
39 March 2009Municipal Stadium, Loulé5–12009 Algarve Cup1
428 October 2009Ismat Gayibov Stadium, Baku1–22011 FIFA World Cup Qual.1
1021 August 2010Latham Park, Newtown15–02011 FIFA World Cup Qual.6
1224 November 2010The Rock, Cefn Mawr8–1Friendly2
1313 February 2011Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest2–4Friendly1
144 March 2011Municipal Stadium, Lagos2–12011 Algarve Cup1
159 March 2011Municipal Stadium, Albufeira1–22011 Algarve Cup1
1620 June 2011Sportanlage Stapfen, Naters1–32011 Matchworld Women's Cup1
1823 August 2011The Oval, Belfast2–0Friendly2
1927 October 2011Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh2–22013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1
2020 November 2011Ness Ziona Stadium, Ness Ziona2–02013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1
225 March 2012Vila Real de Santo António2–02012 Algarve Cup2
2316 June 2012Turners Cross, Cork1–02013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1
248 August 2012Stade Communal de Bielmont, Verviers5–3Friendly1
2515 September 2012Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli1–22013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1
2615 January 2013Dimotiko Stadio, Glyfada3–0Friendly1
2711 March 2013Municipal Stadium, Quarteira1–12013 Algarve Cup1
2817 June 2013NTC Senec, Senec2–2Friendly1
2919 June 2013NTC Senec, Senec1–1Friendly1
3026 September 2013Cardiff City Stadium Cardiff1–02015 FIFA World Cup Qual.1
3223 November 2013Gradski stadion Nikšić3–02015 FIFA World Cup Qual.2