David J. Ward (born 16 December 1953) is an English former rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Leeds, as a , and coached at club level for Hunslet (two spells), Leeds, Batley (two spells), and Featherstone Rovers. He won a total of 12 Great Britain caps. Background Ward was born in Morley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. Playing career Ward played in Leeds' 16-7 victory over Widnes in the 1977 Challenge Cup Final during the 1976–77 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 7 May 1977, and won the inaugural Man of Steel Award that season. Ward played , and scored 2-drop goals in the 14-12 victory over St. Helens in the 1978 Challenge Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1978, in front of a crowd of 96,000, this was possibly the greatest moment of his playing career, he gave a commanding performance marshalling the Leeds team, and kicked two late drop goals to complete what was then a record comeback. Ward's Testimonial match at Leeds took place in 1982. In addition to the above Test matches, Ward played in Great Britain’s 7-8 defeat by France in the friendly at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Venice on Saturday 31 July 1982. County Cup Final appearances Ward played in Leeds' 36-9 victory over Dewsbury in the 1972 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1972–73 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 7 October 1972, played in the 7-2 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1973 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1973–74 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 20 October 1973, played in the 16-12 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1976 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1976–77 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 16 October 1976, played in the 15-6 victory over Halifax in the 1979 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 27 October 1979, and played in the 8-7 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1980 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 8 November 1980 Player's No.6/John Player/John Player Special Trophy Final appearances Ward came on as a substitute (replacing Terry Clawson) in