HELEN WARD
Birthplace: Harrow When Helen's brother brought a leaflet for Watford Ladies home when she was only eight-years-old, it never crossed the aspiring forward's mind that she might actually play in the side. But her career with Watford would last 14 years, from the age of eight to 22, when she left to play for Arsenal before finally joining Chelsea in August 2010. With a brilliant work rate, pace and keen eye for goal, Helen has already cemented her place in Chelsea Ladies' line-up. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? What superpower would you have and why? What piece of advice would you have for aspiring female footballers? When did you start playing football and why? When did you realise you could play at this level? What are your strengths on the pitch? What are your strengths off the pitch? What are your hobbies outside of football? What's your most memorable moment playing for Chelsea Ladies? Have you won any silverware in your career and if so, what and when? During her two seasons at Arsenal, Helen won two Women's Premier League titles (2008/09 and 2009/10) and reached the FA Cup Final in both those seasons, winning the trophy in 2009.
Date of birth: 26/04/1986
Nationality: Welsh
Position: Forward
Squad number: 10
Previous clubs: Watford, Arsenal (and Barnet on loan)
Favourite colour: Pink
Favourite song: Dance With My Father, Luther Van Dross
Favourite TV programme: Friends, Frozen Planet, Family Guy..
Favourite movie and why: Too hard! I love Shawshank Redemption; it's a classic, but more recently the Hangover films. They're so funny; I could watch them over and over again!
I still don't know so I can't answer that one! But I always wanted to play football.
I'd like to be able to fly. Why? I can't stand traffic and spend most of my life sitting in it, so being able to fly would give me so much more free time!
Work as hard as you can and don't take criticism to heart, use it to prove people wrong and make you the best player you can be. But most of all, enjoy it!
I started kicking a ball around from about the age of six with my older brother but joined my first team at eight when my brother brought home an advert from school for Watford Town Girls FC. I played football because it was (is!) fun and was a really good way to meet new friends.
When we won promotion into the national division with Watford and I managed to score a few goals in our first few games. I thought, 'Yeah I can do this', but you can't then rest on your laurels. You have to keep working to stay at the top, probably even harder than you worked to get there in the first place!
I can read a game quite well and have decent movement. My finishing is a strength of mine, on a good day!
I'm pretty chilled and laid back and like to think I get on with everyone. Does that count as a strength?
I like to shop and spend too much money! I have recently been down to the driving range to hit a golf ball or two with my boyfriend, but I'm not sure I can call that a hobby just yet.
I'm hoping the best is yet to come! In terms of the team, the 4-1 win at Donny and the 1-0 win at Lincoln last year were probably the two games we most enjoyed winning and on a personal note, my first goal of the season against Birmingham was a big moment… more through relief than anything, it only took me 10 games to score!
Well in the Under 10s I won… just kidding! At Watford we won the Southern Division title and then with Arsenal I was lucky enough to win the National Division League Title twice and the FA Cup once. They are all treasured and I will look back on them with fondness in the years to come.
Career Highlight:
A Welsh girl at heart, Helen now represents her nation at senior level, although she did play for England Under 23s in 2007 as well.
Follow Helen on Twitter @Helzbelz10.
