Helen Ward (footballer)
Helen Jane Ward 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.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
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition | Scored |
| 1 | 30 September 2008 | Stade Alphonse Theis, Hesperange | 6–1 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 2 | 12 November 2008 | Richmond Park, Carmarthen | 1–2 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 3 | 9 March 2009 | Municipal Stadium, Loulé | 5–1 | 2009 Algarve Cup | 1 | |
| 4 | 28 October 2009 | Ismat Gayibov Stadium, Baku | 1–2 | 2011 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 1 | |
| 10 | 21 August 2010 | Latham Park, Newtown | 15–0 | 2011 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 6 | |
| 12 | 24 November 2010 | The Rock, Cefn Mawr | 8–1 | Friendly | 2 | |
| 13 | 13 February 2011 | Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest | 2–4 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 14 | 4 March 2011 | Municipal Stadium, Lagos | 2–1 | 2011 Algarve Cup | 1 | |
| 15 | 9 March 2011 | Municipal Stadium, Albufeira | 1–2 | 2011 Algarve Cup | 1 | |
| 16 | 20 June 2011 | Sportanlage Stapfen, Naters | 1–3 | 2011 Matchworld Women's Cup | 1 | |
| 18 | 23 August 2011 | The Oval, Belfast | 2–0 | Friendly | 2 | |
| 19 | 27 October 2011 | Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh | 2–2 | 2013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 1 | |
| 20 | 20 November 2011 | Ness Ziona Stadium, Ness Ziona | 2–0 | 2013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 1 | |
| 22 | 5 March 2012 | Vila Real de Santo António | 2–0 | 2012 Algarve Cup | 2 | |
| 23 | 16 June 2012 | Turners Cross, Cork | 1–0 | 2013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 1 | |
| 24 | 8 August 2012 | Stade Communal de Bielmont, Verviers | 5–3 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 25 | 15 September 2012 | Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli | 1–2 | 2013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 1 | |
| 26 | 15 January 2013 | Dimotiko Stadio, Glyfada | 3–0 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 27 | 11 March 2013 | Municipal Stadium, Quarteira | 1–1 | 2013 Algarve Cup | 1 | |
| 28 | 17 June 2013 | NTC Senec, Senec | 2–2 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 29 | 19 June 2013 | NTC Senec, Senec | 1–1 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 30 | 26 September 2013 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff | 1–0 | 2015 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 1 | |
| 32 | 23 November 2013 | Gradski stadion, Nikšić | 3–0 | 2015 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 2 | |
| 33 | 6 April 2015 | Nantporth, Bangor | 1–0 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 36 | 26 November 2015 | Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest | 4–0 | 2017 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 3 | |
| 37 | 4 March 2016 | Paralimni Stadium, Paralimni | 1–1 | 2016 Cyprus Women's Cup | 1 | |
| 39 | 12 April 2016 | Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest | 4–0 | 2017 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 2 | |
| 41 | 15 September 2016 | Rodney Parade, Newport | 3–0 | 2017 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 2 | |
| 42 | 1 March 2017 | Paralimni Stadium, Paralimni | 2–0 | 2017 Cyprus Women's Cup | 1 | |
| 43 | 22 October 2020 | Rodney Parade, Newport | 4–0 | 2022 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. | 1 | |
| 44 | 26 October 2021 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff | 4–0 | 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qual. | 1 |