Michael Woods (footballer)

Michael Woods

Woods playing for Hartlepool United in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Michael James Woods[1]
Date of birth	6 April 1990[1]
Place of birth	York, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Playing position	Central midfielder
Club information
Current team	Hartlepool United
Number	14
Youth career
2004–2006	Leeds United
2006–2007	Chelsea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2007–2011	Chelsea	0	(0)
2010–2011	→ Notts County (loan)	0	(0)
2012	Yeovil Town	5	(1)
2012–2013	Doncaster Rovers	0	(0)
2013–2014	Harrogate Town	37	(9)
2014–	Hartlepool United	52	(4)
National team
2005–2006	England U16	8	(5)
2006–2007	England U17	15	(8)
2008	England U19	4	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:11, 16 April 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals)

Michael James Woods (born 6 April 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League Two club Hartlepool United. Prior to joining them he played for Chelsea, Notts County, Yeovil Town and Harrogate Town.

Club career

Chelsea

Born in York, North Yorkshire,^[1] Woods turned down a scholarship from Leeds United to sign for Chelsea. Leeds United chairman Ken Bates accused Chelsea of tapping-up the sixteen-year-old as well as two other academy players.^[2] Eventually the two clubs later agreed an out-of-court settlement, with Chelsea paying £5 million in compensation for Woods and Tom Taiwo.^[3]

After spending time in the reserves, Woods made his first-team debut for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge against Macclesfield Town in the third round of the FA Cup on 6 January 2007, making him the fourth-youngest player to ever play for Chelsea at 16 years and 275 days old.^[4] He came on as a substitute for Frank Lampard in the 79th minute. He made two appearances for Chelsea in the FA Cup, but did not play in the Premier League. Although his progress was interrupted by a series of injuries, he was ever-present in the reserves.^[5] Woods was released by Chelsea at the end of the 2010–11 season.^[6]

On 1 November 2010, Woods joined Notts County on loan until January.^[7] He made his debut in the second round of the FA Cup, in County's 3–1 win over AFC Bournemouth.^[8]

Yeovil Town

Woods went on a trial spell with Aberdeen in July 2011.^[9] On 23 February 2012, following a short trial period Woods signed for Yeovil Town on non-contract terms, with Gary Johnson stating that he was very impressed with his attitude.^[10][11]

On 29 February 2012, Woods played his first match in Yeovil's Somerset Premier Cup defeat by Clevedon and his performance was impressed by Johnson as Woods looks to win a first-team place.^[12] On 24 March 2012, Woods made his debut for Yeovil Town after coming on a 74th minutes for Dominic Blizzard in a 1–0 loss against Hartlepool United on 24 March 2012.^[13] After a handful of encouraging substitute appearances, including scoring his first professional goal in a 3–1 win over Rochdale on 7 April 2012,^[14] he forced his way into the Yeovil starting XI but was sent off in only his second start against Stevenage.^[15]

Despite initially impressing Gary Johnson his contract was not renewed at the end of the season.

Doncaster Rovers

On 5 October 2012, Woods joined Doncaster Rovers of League One on non-contract terms and was given number eleven shirt.^[16] Woods made his debut on 17 November 2012 against Portsmouth, winning the game 1–0.^[17] After making one appearance, it announced on 27 December 2012 that Woods woudld not have his contract renewed.^[18]

Harrogate Town

Following his release from Doncaster, Woods joined Conference North side Harrogate Town on 2 February 2013 on a free transfer.^[19] He scored on his debut in Harrogate Town's 2–1 loss against Brackley Town.^[20] Woods had an impressive spell at Harrogate Town, making 35 appearance and scoring nine times.

Hartlepool United

Woods playing for Hartlepool United in 2015

After a spell in non-league football, Woods signed for Hartlepool United on 8 August 2014 following a successful trial.^[21] He stated that joining Hartlepool United gave him a second chance in professional football.^[22] Woods made his Hartlepool United debut, where he made his first start before being substituted in the second half.^[23] He scored his first goal for the club, where he "acrobatically volleyed the ball", as Hartlepool United beat Exeter City 2–1 on 11 October 2014.^[24]

International career

Woods has been capped several times for the English national under-17 team. He is an England Under-18 international and played in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. In the summer of 2009, he was called up for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Personal life

He is the nephew of Neil Woods and his grandfather is former footballer Alan Woods.

Honours

Chelsea

• FA Cup: 2006–07

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Mainstream Publishing. p. 443. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
2. "Leeds and Chelsea reach settlement over poaching claims". thisislondon.co.uk. 28 October 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
3. "Frank Lampard: We should be turning local lads into stars". thisislondon.co.uk. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
4. "No kidding, Cole explains why Chelsea field established stars in the Carling Cup". thisislondon.co.uk. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
5. "Michael Woods: From Chelsea prodigy to Harrogate Town star". Wether By News. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
6. "Premier League Free Transfer List" (PDF). 16 June 2011.
7. "Notts County sign Chelsea's Woods". BBC News. 25 November 2010.
8. "Notts County 3 - 1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
9. "Michael Woods and Mickael Nicoise on Aberdeen trial". BBC Sport (BBC). 26 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
10. "Yeovil sign ex-Chelsea youngster Michael Woods". BBC Sport. 23 February 2012.
11. "Glovers land midfielder Woods". Sky Sport Football (Sky Sports). 23 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
12. "Yeovil Town boss Johnson impressed by Michael Woods". BBC Sport (BBC). 29 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
13. "Yeovil 0 – 1 Hartelpool". YTFC Official Website. 24 March 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
14. "Yeovil 3 – 1 Rochdale". YTFC Official Website. 7 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
15. "Yeovil 0 – 6 Stevenage". YTFC Official Website. 14 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
16. "Midfielder Woods Signs Rovers Deal". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 5 October 2012. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
17. "Report: Portsmouth 0 - 1 Doncaster Rovers". Doncaster Rovers Official Website. 17 November 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
18. "DRFC Rovers release duo". Doncaster Rovers Vital Football. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
19. "Michael Woods Joins". Harrogate Town Official Website. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
20. "Brackley Town". Harrogate Town Official Website. February 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
21. "Tommy Miller Training With Pools Squad". Hartlepool United F.C. 15 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
22. "How £5m ex-Leeds and Chelsea starlet Michael Woods is taking second chance at Hartlepool". Hartlepool Mail. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
23. "Daggers Defeat For Pools". Hartlepool United F.C. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
24. "Pools Off The Bottom After Fine Victory". Hartlepool United F.C. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.

External links

• Michael Woods career statistics at Soccerbase
• Michael Woods profile at Soccerway