Ricky Wellard
Encyclopedia
Ricky Ben Wellard is an English
footballer playing as a midfielder for AFC Wimbledon
in Football League Two
.
and made his debut for the Tangerines against Stourport Swifts
on the 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.
and made 43 appearances in his first season for the Dons as they lost out in 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. 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.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer playing as a midfielder for AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
in Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
Ashford Town
Wellard came through the ranks of the Ashford Town (Middlesex)Ashford Town F.C.
Ashford Town F.C. are an English football club based in Ashford, Surrey. The club are currently members of Division One Central of the Southern League and play at Short Lane...
and made his debut for the Tangerines against Stourport Swifts
Stourport Swifts F.C.
Stourport Swifts are a football team from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire and one of the oldest non-league teams in the country. The Swifts gained promotion to the Southern League Division One West in 2001 from the Midland Alliance, and currently play at Walshes Meadow in the town.In the year...
on the 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
Surrey Senior Cup
The Surrey Senior Cup is the senior Saturday cup of the Surrey FA. It is currently competed for by teams playing in the top nine levels of the English football league system who are affiliated to the Surrey FA...
Final. During his time at the club Wellard was also groundsman at Short Lane. In the summer of 2008, AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
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
Dannie Bulman
Dannie Mark Bulman is an English footballer who plays for Crawley Town as a midfielder.-Career:Born in Ashford, Surrey, Bulman joined Crawley Town after signing from Stevenage Borough in 2006. He joined Oxford United in May 2009 and joined Crawley Town on loan in September 2010 after winning...
and Richard Butler.
AFC Wimbledon
Wellard became a regular in the AFC WimbledonAFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
and made 43 appearances in his first season for the Dons as they lost out in the Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
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
James Mulley
James Anthony Mulley is an English professional footballer who plays for AFC Wimbledon, as a midfielder.-Career:Mulley spent his early career with Hayes & Yeading United and Chelmsford City, before making his professional debut with AFC Wimbledon on 1 October 2011, in the Football...
. In February 2011, Wellard was sent on loan to fellow Conference side Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
on a month-long loan. However, he was recalled early from his loan by Terry Brown
Terry Brown (football manager)
Terry Brown is the current manager of the English League Two football team AFC Wimbledon and is the former manager of both Aldershot Town and Hayes.-Playing career:...
due to an injury crisis at the Kingsmeadow. He regained his place in the Dons' first team and eventually played in the 2011 Conference Play-off final win over Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, which saw the Dons gain a place in the Football League.