- David Ward (rugby league)
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David J. Ward is an English former rugby league footballer and coach. A hooker, he played for and managed Leeds RLFC. Possibly the greatest moment of his playing career was his performance during the 1978 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium against St Helens, where he gave a commanding performance marshalling the Leeds team, and kicked two late drop-goals to complete what was then a record comeback. He won a total of 12 Great Britain caps and, in 1977, won the inaugural Man of Steel Award.
One of the more notable signings of his coaching career was when Ward brought John Gallagher to Leeds, converting the player from rugby union, but Ward was ultimately unsuccessful at Leeds, despite being in charge of one of only two full-time squads in the league at the time.[1] He later went on to coach lower-league Batley.
Ward currently[specify] runs Birstall Squash Club, and has done for many years. His son Danny is a rugby league player, with one Great Britain cap; he signed for Harlequins Rugby League in 2008. Ward also runs Birstall Victoria Rugby Club which had seen little success until May 2011 when the Under 12's team were the first Birstall team to lift the Continuation cup beating York Acorn 40-4. Ward watched the match from the players bar, when the match was over he said one word: "awesome".David is also well known locally for his impersonation of the legendary singer Frank Sinatra.
Contents
International honours
In addition to the above Test Matches, David Ward played Hooker, i.e. number 9 in Great Britain’s 7-8 defeat to France in the friendly at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, Venice on 31 July 1982.
Testimonial match
David Ward's Testimonial match at Leeds took place in 1982.
External links
References
Great Britain squad - 1977 Rugby League World Cup
☼ (4/4) Edward "Eddie" Bowman • ☼ (3/4) Leonard "Len" Casey • ☼ (4/4) Leslie "Les" Dyl • ☼ (1/4) Keith Elwell • ☼ (4/4) George Fairbairn • (2/4) Keith Fielding • ☼ (3/4) Bill Francis • ☼ (2/4) Ken Gill • ☼ (4/4) Philip "Phil" Hogan • ☼ (4/4) John Holmes • ☼ (4/4) Roger Millward • ☼ (4/4) Stephen "Steve" Nash • (3/4) George Nicholls • ☼ (4/4) Stephen "Steve" Pitchford • ☼ (2/4) Peter Smith • ☼ (4/4) James “Jimmy” Thompson • (3/4) David Ward • ☼ (4/4) Stuart Wright
(2/4), e.g. The Number of Games Played in the 1977 World Cup. ☼=Played in Final.
Coach: David Watkins • Manager: Reg ParkerMan of Steel Award 1977 David Ward • 1978 George Nicholls • 1979 Doug Laughton • 1980 George Fairbairn • 1981 Ken Kelly • 1982 Mick Morgan • 1983 Allan Agar • 1984 Joe Lydon • 1985 Ellery Hanley • 1986 Gavin Miller • 1987 Ellery Hanley • 1988 Martin Offiah • 1989 Ellery Hanley • 1990 Shaun Edwards • 1991 Garry Schofield • 1992 Dean Bell • 1993 Andy Platt • 1994 Jonathan Davies • 1995 Denis Betts • 1996 Andy Farrell • 1997 James Lowes • 1998 Iestyn Harris • 1999 Adrian Vowles • 2000 Sean Long • 2001 Paul Sculthorpe • 2002 Paul Sculthorpe • 2003 Jamie Peacock • 2004 Andy Farrell • 2005 Jamie Lyon • 2006 Paul Wellens • 2007 James Roby • 2008 James Graham • 2009 Brett Hodgson • 2010 Pat Richards • 2011 Rangi Chase
Categories:- Batley Bulldogs coaches
- English rugby league players
- England national rugby league team players
- Great Britain national rugby league team players
- Leeds Rhinos players
- English rugby league coaches
- Living people
- Rugby league hookers
- English rugby league biography stubs
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