Leeds Rhinos Nostalgia: A case of like father, like son for the Wards

LEEDS RHINOS don’t feature very often on the Man of Steel honours list.
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Since the award was introduced 43 years ago, four Leeds players have won it – and two of those were before the Super League era began.

Despite eight Super League titles – and three league leaders’ shields – Iestyn Harris in 1998 and Zak Hardaker five years ago are the only Rhinos players to have been hailed as the northern hemisphere’s best.

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Garry Schofield was Man of Steel in 1991 and Loiners captain David Ward wrote himself a place in the record books as the award’s first winner, in 1977, when he was also named young player of the year.

Leeds' 
David Ward with Challenge Cup trophy in 1978. Picture: Steve Riding.Leeds' 
David Ward with Challenge Cup trophy in 1978. Picture: Steve Riding.
Leeds' David Ward with Challenge Cup trophy in 1978. Picture: Steve Riding.

Ward was appointed captain during the 1977 season, when John Holmes stepped down. The 23-year-old hooker went on to lift the Challenge Cup at the end of that campaign and the following season, as well as leading Leeds to Premiership, Yorkshire Cup and JPS Trophy glory.

From his debut in 1971 to his final appearance 16 years later, Ward played 482 times for Leeds, a total only four players have beaten.

He scored 40 tries, two goals and 15 drop goals – two of those at Wembley in 1978.

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He also played 12 Tests for Great Britain and made six appearances in an England jersey – three of those as captain – before finishing his playing career with a spell at Workington.

David Ward drops a goal during the 1978 Challenge Cup final against St Helens. Picture: Steve Riding.David Ward drops a goal during the 1978 Challenge Cup final against St Helens. Picture: Steve Riding.
David Ward drops a goal during the 1978 Challenge Cup final against St Helens. Picture: Steve Riding.

After that he moved into coaching and was in charge of Leeds from September 1989 until May, 1991.

He also had stints as team boss at Hunslet, Batley and Featherstone Rovers.

His son Danny was born on this day in 1980 and followed in his father’s footsteps as a player with Leeds, before also becoming a successful coach.

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Ward junior made his debut in 1999 and played in the 2004 Grand Final win over Bradford Bulls. That was Leeds’ first championship triumph since 1972 when David Ward – aged only 18 – was part of the team.

Danny Ward in action against Bradford Bulls in the 2004 Grand Final: Picture: Tony Johnson.Danny Ward in action against Bradford Bulls in the 2004 Grand Final: Picture: Tony Johnson.
Danny Ward in action against Bradford Bulls in the 2004 Grand Final: Picture: Tony Johnson.

He made 135 appearances for Leeds, but was sacked over a breach of club rules a month before the start of the 2006 season.

Ward went on to play for Castleford, Hull KR and Harlequins – taking his career appearances to 284 – before joining the coaching staff at the capital city club.

He worked his way up through the ranks and was appointed coach in 2018, immediately guiding Broncos to second place in the Betfred Championship table and promotion following a shock win at Toronto Wolfpack in the Million Pound Match.

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London were relegated at the first attempt, but only on for and against after winning 10 of their 29 Super League matches, a record for a team finishing bottom.

London Broncos coach Danny Ward with his 2018 Championship coach of the year award. Picture: SWPix.com.London Broncos coach Danny Ward with his 2018 Championship coach of the year award. Picture: SWPix.com.
London Broncos coach Danny Ward with his 2018 Championship coach of the year award. Picture: SWPix.com.

Like his dad, Ward was also a major winner at a Man of Steel ceremony, being named Championship coach of the year in 2018.

Ward didn’t manage to repeat his father’s Challenge Cup success, being a runner-up in 2003 and 2005, but did earn a Great Britain cap in 2004.

And like his father, he could kick a drop goal – though only one.

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Nineteen years ago today, on his 21st birthday, the prop landed a surprise one-pointer when an inexperienced Leeds team rallied from 6-0 down at half-time to defeat Hull 15-6 at the Boulevard.

Leeds trailed until the hour mark when Mark Calderwood touched down and Keith Senior then sealed a famous win with a try three minutes from time.

Iestyn Harris, who booted three goals, was outstanding for Leeds.

One of David Ward’s team-mates at Leeds in the 1970s was John Langley, who played 237 times for the club from 1966 to 1975.

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Langley’s son Jamie played for Bradford Bulls, Hull KR and Sheffield Eagles before joining the backroom staff at London in 2015.

He is now assistant-coach under Danny Ward.

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