Martin Woods

Martin Woods

Personal information
Full name	Martin Paul Woods
Date of birth	1 January 1986 (1986-01-01) (age 25)
Place of birth	Airdrie, Scotland
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Doncaster Rovers
Number	7
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003–2005	Leeds United	1	(0)
2005	→ Hartlepool United (loan)	6	(0)
2005–2006	Sunderland	7	(0)
2006–2007	Rotherham United	36	(4)
2007–	Doncaster Rovers	93	(7)
2008	→ Yeovil Town (loan)	3	(0)
National team
	Scotland U17
	Scotland U19
	Scotland U21
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:41, 13 December 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Martin Paul Woods (born 1 January 1986 in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire) is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Doncaster Rovers. He is an attacking left-sided midfield player noted for his long range shooting and free kicks. He is also a former Scotland U21 international.

Football career

Leeds United

Woods started his career at the Leeds United academy, where he was capped by Scotland Youth. He made just one substitute appearance for the Leeds first team before a loan spell at Hartlepool United F.C.. After Leeds were relegated from the Premier League they offered the out of contract Woods a new contract but he turned it down in favour of joining Premier League Sunderland.^[1]

Sunderland

His next move took him to Sunderland where he made eight appearances in the Premier League. He scored in his debut pre-season but failed to make a big impact and was released at the end of the 2005–06 season.^[2]

Rotherham

On August 1, 2006 he signed for Rotherham United for the start of the League One season. Woods was a regular in the first team for Rotherham, receiving the man of the match award regularly. He scored his first goal against local rivals Doncaster Rovers, placing the ball into the top left corner of the net from 25 yards.

Woods scored his second goal for the club against Swansea City, with an unstoppable shot from 30 yards in the dying seconds of the match. Less than a week later he continued his excellent run of form with two superb goals during Rotherham's 4–1 victory over Bradford City. The first was an astounding free kick from over 55 yards; the second a volley from just outside the box which left the keeper helpless.

Despite his relatively short time at Rotherham United, Woods became something of a cult figure with Millers fans due to his consistent outstanding displays, and strong rapport with the crowd. In his only year at the Millers he was named player of the season. He was also given the nickname "Boy Band", for his ridiculous hair style, by a rowdy American fan during the match against Brentford.

Doncaster

On 5 June 2007, Woods was transferred to Doncaster Rovers, under the terms of a relegation release clause in his Rotherham contract. He elected to join them despite interest from Championship sides Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Scunthorpe United.

On 14 February 2008, Woods joined League One side Yeovil Town on a one-month loan deal.

Woods regained his place in the Doncaster Rovers side in the 2008/9 season, his hard-working, gritty performances saw him become a key player in the Rovers midfield.

He continued to be a regular in the Doncaster side throughout the 2009/10 season, and captained the side for a spell when regular captain Brian Stock was absent due to a back injury. He is considered to be the vice-captain at Rovers, despite this never being formally announced by the club.

He was subject of a bid of £500,000 from Preston North End in the summer of 2010, an offer which Doncaster immediately refused, with Woods now considered one of Rovers most important players. Woods revealed in July 2010 that he intended to sign a new contract at Doncaster Rovers, leaving the interest from Preston seemingly dead in the water.

International career

Woods has been capped by Scotland at School boy, Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 level.

References

1. ^ http://www.thestar.co.uk/rovers/Woods-out-to-beat-old.6536873.jp
2. ^ http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/28354-sunderland-investigate-sex-tape

External links

• Martin Woods career stats at Soccerbase

Persondata
Name	Woods, Martin
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1986-01-01
Place of birth	Airdrie, Scotland
Date of death
Place of death