Helen Ward (footballer)

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 F.C. Women, ahead of the 2017–18 season, before signing a contract extension ahead of the 2018–19 campaign with the club. 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. In March 2023, Ward announced her retirement from football at the end of the 2023–24 season. ==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. Ward became the all-time top scorer for Wales with 44 goals in 105 appearances until Jess Fishlock broke her record on 14 July 2024. 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. 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. == Personal life==

She graduated from Staffordshire University in 2017 with a First Class degree having studied for a BA (Hons) in Professional Sports Writing & Broadcasting, through a partnership between the University and the Professional Footballers' Association. ==References==