Michael Woods (footballer)

Michael James Woods (born 6 April 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for South Shields. He started his career at Chelsea, and has since played for Harrogate Town, Hartlepool United, Dover Athletic and York City.

Michael Woods
Woods with York City in 2021
Personal information
Full name Michael James Woods[1]
Date of birth (1990-04-06) 6 April 1990[1]
Place of birth York, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 South Shields
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 1 (0)
2013–2014 Harrogate Town 37 (9)
2014–2018 Hartlepool United 144 (18)
2018–2019 Harrogate Town 16 (2)
2019–2020 Dover Athletic 33 (3)
2020–2022 York City 29 (8)
2022– South Shields 27 (7)
International career
2005–2006 England U16 8 (5)
2006–2007 England U17 15 (8)
2008 England U19 4 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:17, 24 September 2023 (UTC)

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 made two appearances for Chelsea in the FA Cup, making his debut as a substitute for Ashley Cole against Macclesfield Town and in the next round coming on for Frank Lampard[5] against Nottingham Forest, 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.[6] Woods was released by Chelsea at the end of the 2010–11 season.[7]

On 1 November 2010, Woods joined Notts County on loan until January.[8] He made his debut in the second round of the FA Cup, in County's 3–1 win over AFC Bournemouth.[9]

Yeovil Town

Woods went on a trial spell with Aberdeen in July 2011.[10] 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.[11][12]

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.[13] On 24 March 2012, Woods made his debut for Yeovil Town after coming on in the 74th minute for Dominic Blizzard in a 1–0 loss against Hartlepool United on 24 March 2012.[14] After a handful of encouraging substitute appearances, including scoring his first professional goal in a 3–1 win over Rochdale on 7 April 2012,[15] he forced his way into the Yeovil starting XI but was sent off in only his second start against Stevenage.[16]

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.[17] Woods made his debut on 17 November 2012 against Portsmouth, winning the game 1–0.[18] After making one appearance, it announced on 27 December 2012 that Woods would not have his contract renewed.[19]

Harrogate Town

Following his release from Doncaster, Woods joined Conference North side Harrogate Town on 2 February 2013 on a free transfer.[20] He scored on his debut in Harrogate Town's 2–1 loss against Brackley Town.[21] Woods had an impressive spell at Harrogate Town, making 35 appearances 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.[22] He stated that joining Hartlepool United gave him a second chance in professional football.[23] Woods made his Hartlepool United league debut on 19 August 2014, just days after appearing in Hartlepool's EFL Cup defeat away to Port Vale.[24] 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.[25]

In March 2015, it was announced that Woods would miss at least the remainder of the season due to him dislocating his ankle and fracturing the fibula. Pools boss Ronnie Moore told the press "He's been our best player to be fair and I'm gutted for him".[26] He returned back to the Hartlepool side five months later.[27]

Second spell at Harrogate

On 19 November 2018, Woods rejoined Harrogate Town.[28]

Dover Athletic

On 31 May 2019, Woods agreed to sign for Dover Athletic on a two-year deal from 1 July 2019.[29] Woods’ contract was terminated by mutual consent on 7 September 2020.[30]

York City

On 7 September 2020, Woods signed for his hometown club York City after leaving Dover.[31] Woods' contract expired at the end of the 2021–22 season, following York's promotion back to the National League.[32]

South Shields

On 1 June 2022, Woods signed for South Shields.[33] Woods made an immediate impact at Shields, scoring consecutively in his first three games.[34] In April 2023, it was announced that Woods was to miss the rest of the 2022–23 season due to a knee injury.[35]

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.

Career statistics
As of 18 March 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea 2006–07[36] Premier League 0020000020
Notts County (loan) 2010–11[37] League One 0020000020
Yeovil Town 2011–12[38] League One 5100000051
Doncaster Rovers 2012–13[39] League One 1020000030
Harrogate Town 2012–13[40] Conference North 15300—00153
2013–14[40] Conference North 22600—00226
Total 37900—00379
Hartlepool United 2014–15[41] League Two 23120101[lower-alpha 1]0271
2015–16[42] League Two 333202000373
2016–17[43] League Two 36220101[lower-alpha 2]0402
2017–18[40] National League 39820—1[lower-alpha 3]0428
2018–19[40] National League 12110—00131
Total 1431690403015915
Harrogate Town 2018–19[40] National League 16200—2[lower-alpha 3]0182
Dover Athletic 2019–20[40] National League 33320—1[lower-alpha 3]0363
York City 2020–21[40] National League North 12400—1[lower-alpha 3]1135
2021–22[40] National League North 17420—1[lower-alpha 3]0204
Total 29820—21339
South Shields 2022–23[44] NPL Premier Division 236320000268
Career total 28644222408132147
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  3. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

Honours

South Shields

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. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  3. "Frank Lampard: We should be turning local lads into stars". thisislondon.co.uk. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  4. "No kidding, Cole explains why Chelsea field established stars in the Carling Cup". thisislondon.co.uk. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  5. "Woods in FA Cup spotlight".
  6. "Michael Woods: From Chelsea prodigy to Harrogate Town star". Wetherby News. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  7. "Premier League Free Transfer List" (PDF). 16 June 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2011.
  8. "Notts County sign Chelsea's Woods". BBC News. 25 November 2010.
  9. "Notts County 3 - 1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  10. "Michael Woods and Mickael Nicoise on Aberdeen trial". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  11. "Yeovil sign ex-Chelsea youngster Michael Woods". BBC Sport. 23 February 2012.
  12. "Glovers land midfielder Woods". Sky Sport Football. Sky Sports. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  13. "Yeovil Town boss Johnson impressed by Michael Woods". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  14. "Yeovil 0 – 1 Hartlepool". YTFC Official Website. 24 March 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. "Yeovil 3 – 1 Rochdale". YTFC Official Website. 7 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. "Yeovil 0 – 6 Stevenage". YTFC Official Website. 14 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. "Midfielder Woods Signs Rovers Deal". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 5 October 2012. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. "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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  19. "DRFC Rovers release duo". Doncaster Rovers Vital Football. 27 December 2012. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  20. "Michael Woods Joins". Harrogate Town Official Website. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. "Brackley Town". Harrogate Town Official Website. February 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. "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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. "How £5m ex-Leeds and Chelsea starlet Michael Woods is taking second chance at Hartlepool". Hartlepool Mail. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  24. "Daggers Defeat For Pools". Hartlepool United F.C. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. "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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  26. "Michael Woods: Hartlepool fear midfielder's injury lay-off". BBC Sport. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  27. "Hartlepool United Michael Woods gutted to see Buster Gallagher go". Hartlepool Mail. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  28. "Woods returns to Town". Harrogate Town AFC. 19 November 2018.
  29. "WOODS JOINS ATHLETIC". www.doverathletic.com. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  30. "MIDFIELDER LEAVES CRABBLE". www.doverathletic.com. 7 September 2020.
  31. "Michael Woods signs for City". York City Official Site. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  32. "Michael Woods joins South Shields after exit from York City". York Press. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  33. "Michael Woods Becomes Summer Signing Number Three". South Shields FC. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  34. "Michael Woods". Football Web Pages.
  35. "Michael Woods injury update". South Shields FC. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  36. "Games played by Michael Woods in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  37. "Games played by Michael Woods in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  38. "Games played by Michael Woods in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  39. "Games played by Michael Woods in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  40. "M. Woods". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  41. "Games played by Michael Woods in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  42. "Games played by Michael Woods in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  43. "Games played by Michael Woods in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  44. "South Shields | Appearances | Michael Woods | 2022-2023 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  45. "Shields clinch title after 1-0 win at Whitby". South Shields FC. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
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