Steve Woods

Infobox Football biography
playername = Steve Woods


fullname = Stephen John Woods
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1976|12|15
cityofbirth = Davenham, Cheshire
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=0
currentclub = Torquay United
clubnumber = 4
position = Central Defender
youthyears = –1994
youthclubs = Stoke City
years = 1994–1999
1998
1999–2001
2001–
clubs = Stoke City
Plymouth Argyle
Chesterfield
Torquay United
caps(goals) = 034 0(0)
005 0(0)
025 0(0)
222 (10)
pcupdate = 21:14, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

Stephen John Woods (born December 15, 1976) is an English professional footballer, currently playing as a defender for Torquay United.

Woods was born in Davenham, Cheshire and began his career as a trainee with Stoke City, turning professional in August 1994. He made his league debut in March 1998, coming on as first half substitute for Ally Pickering in a 2-1 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town. Later that month he joined Plymouth Argyle on loan, making 5 appearances before returning to Stoke.

He finally got his first start for Stoke, under manager Brian Little, on the opening day of the 1998-99 season, a 3-1 home victory over Northampton Town, and became a regular in the Stoke side until the following March.

He was released by Stoke in May 1999 and joined Chesterfield in July 1999. He failed to establish himself at Chesterfield and was allowed to join Darlington on trial in November 2000 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/darlington/1011949.stm Woods on trial at Darlington] ] . He returned to Chesterfield at the end of his trial and moved to Torquay United on a free transfer in August 2001. He initially signed on a short-term contract, making an impressive debut against Bournemouth in the Worthington Cup. Torquay manager Roy McFarland was impressed enough to reward Woods with a contract for the next two seasons.

He was a regular in his first season, but in 2002-03 played only nine times due to a serious knee injury. He was given a short-term 'prove your fitness' deal at the end of the season [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/3047537.stm Woods happy with new deal] ] , which was extended as he returned to form. He later helped Leroy Rosenior's side win promotion to League One, and remained a significant player in the side relegated the following season and who battled to avoid a second successive relegation in the 2005-06 season. He remained with the club following their relegation to the Conference National in 2007 and was appointed captain for the following season.

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