Ricky Ben Wellard (born 9 May 1988) is an English former professional footballer who is the U16 Head Coach at AFC Bournemouth.
Career
Ashford Town (Middlesex) Wellard was born in Hammersmith, London. He came through the ranks of the Ashford Town (Middlesex) and made his debut for the Tangerines against Stourport Swifts on 8 January 2005, as a late sub for Anthony Eggington. He went on to make 190 first team appearances for Ashford Town including scoring the winning goal in the 2009 Surrey Senior Cup final. During his time at the club Wellard was also groundsman at Short Lane. In the summer of 2008, AFC Wimbledon had a transfer bid rejected which was described as 'derisory' by the Ashford board. However, the Dons second bid the following summer was more successful for an undisclosed fee plus add-ons. At the time of the transfer, Wellard was one of only three players to have ever commanded a transfer fee at Ashford, with the others being Dannie Bulman and Richard Butler.
AFC Wimbledon Wellard became a regular in the AFC Wimbledon side and made 43 appearances in his first season for the Dons as they didn't quite make the Conference play-offs. His second season at the club saw him move down the pecking order in central midfield in January after the arrival of James Mulley. In February 2011, Wellard was sent on loan to fellow Conference side Cambridge United on a month-long loan. However, he was recalled early from his loan by Terry Brown due to an injury crisis at the Kingsmeadow Stadium. He regained his place in the Dons' first team and eventually played in the 2011 Conference Play-off final win over Luton Town, which saw the Dons gain a place in the Football League. In May 2012, Wellard was released from the club due to the expiry of his contract.
Cambridge United Wellard signed a two-year contract with The U's on 18 May 2012 following his release from AFC Wimbledon earlier in the month. U's boss Jez George was quick to snap up the midfielder early in the summer transfer window in a deal which saw the Londoner return to the Abbey Stadium on a permanent basis following a popular loan spell back in February 2011.
In November 2012, he joined Conference South side Salisbury City on a one-month loan deal.
Salisbury City After a successful loan spell at Salisbury, he returned permanently, signing a contract until the end of the 2013–14 season. He featured in the squad regularly, and scored a vital free kick in the Conference South play-off final against Dover Athletic.
Sutton United He signed for Sutton United in July 2014, and made his debut against Winchester City in a pre-season friendly.
Welling United In May 2015, he signed for National League side Welling United on a free transfer.
Wealdstone In 2016, he signed for Wealdstone. He left the club in May 2018.
Bedfont On 25 December 2019, Wellard moved to Bedfont Sports.WELCOME RICKY WELLARD, pitchero.com, 24 December 2019
Farnham Town In July 2023, Wellard joined Combined Counties Football League Premier Division South club Farnham Town. Alongside his later work in academies, Wellard has also been involved with AF Global’s Trinity Elite football programme in the South West.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAFC Wimbledon2009–10Conference Premier32120—3Appearances in FA Trophy13722010–11Conference Premier25240—5Two appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference Premier play-offs03422011–12League Two22130102Appearances in Football League Trophy0281Total7949010101995Cambridge United (loan)2010–11Conference Premier90———90Cambridge United2012–13Conference Premier17110—00181Total26110—00271Salisbury City2012–13Conference South181——4One appearance in FA Trophy, three appearances and one goal in Conference South play-offs12222013–14Conference Premier31110—10331Total49210—51553Sutton United2014–15Conference South30300—10313Welling United2015–16National League28141—21343Hemel Hempstead Town2015–16National League South12100—00121Wealdstone2016–17National League South36310—003732017–1812000—21141Total483100021514Bedfont Sports2019–20Isthmian League South Central80——201002020–21Isthmian League South Central3020—00502021–22Isthmian League South Central20642—00248Total316620020398Career total303212231022434828
Honours AFC Wimbledon Conference Premier play-offs: 2010–11
Salisbury City Conference South play-offs: 2012–13
References
External links