David Ward
Hall of Fame 13 of 18

13. David Ward


David Ward

PROFESSIONAL CLUBS: Leeds

HONOURS: 12 Caps for Great Britain, member of Australian tour in 1979, World Cup 1977, Leeds captain

OTHER: Shaw Cross have produced several hookers for the professional game and one of these was David Ward who had an illustrious career, playing for Leeds and Great Britain in the number nine shirt. David played in the Shaw Cross Hornets side as a teenager before he was snapped up by Leeds in 1971. He was first selected for the first ever English Schoolboys Tour to France in 1968, two years before the Shaw Cross Exchange with Villeneuve, France was started and played in the Test side at Perpignan. A dedicated player, David soon established himself as a firm favourite with the Headingley crowd and his spirit and leadership was rewarded when he became captain in 1976/1977 season, taking over from John Holmes. He made his Great Britain debut in the 1977 World Cup in Auckland when the side beat France 23–4 and also figured in the games against New Zealand and Australia. He was also a member of the Australian tour in 1979 and captained the Lions to a 37–0 victory over France at Hull in December 1981. He made 12 appearances in the Great Britain shirt. His playing career finished in 1986, but then he became a successful coach at Hunslet and at Batley.