Whelan Ward

Infobox Football biography
playername = Whelan Ward


fullname = Lawrence Whelan Ward
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1929|6|15|df=y
cityofbirth = Ovenden
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=5|in=3
position = Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs = Ovenden
years = 1948–1954
1954–1955
1955–1959
clubs = Bradford City
King's Lynn
Bradford Park Avenue
Nelson
caps(goals) = 149 (37)

108 (31)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =

Lawrence Whelan Ward, (born 15 June 1929 in Ovenden, England) also known as Polly Ward, was an English professional footballer who played for both Bradford clubs. He was a striker.

Career

Whelan Ward was a dimunitive striker, standing just height|ft=5|in=3, who had unsuccessful trials with Bradford Park Avenue, Leeds United, Hull City and Halifax Town. He was signed by Bradford City manager David Steele, who had him on schoolboy forms at Huddersfield Town, from Ovenden in November 1948.

Ward made his City debut on Christmas Day 1948 against Oldham Athletic. He spent six seasons at Valley Parade scoring a total of 37 league goals and five FA Cup goals in 156 appearances. He was the club's top goal-scorer in 1951–52 and featured in the club's smallest attacking line-up against Darlington in October 1962.cite book
last = Frost
first = Terry
title = Bradford City A Complete Record 1903-1988
publisher = Breedon Books Sport
year = 1988
pages = p144
isbn = 0907969380]

He moved to King's Lynn in August 1954 but returned to Bradford the following year to sign for City's rivals Bradford Park Avenue. He spent four seasons with Park Avenue, returning to non-league football in August 1959 with Nelson.

References