Martin Woods
Encyclopedia
Martin Paul Woods 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.
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.
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.
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.
, 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.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer currently playing for Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
. He is an attacking left-sided midfield player noted for his long range shooting and free kicks. He is also a former Scotland U21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
international.
Leeds United
Woods started his career at the Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
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.
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
. 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.
Sunderland
His next move took him to SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
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.
Rotherham
On August 1, 2006 he signed for Rotherham UnitedRotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
for the start of the League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
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
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, 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
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. 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
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, 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 RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, under the terms of a relegation release clause in his Rotherham contract. He elected to join them despite interest from Championship sides Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
.
On 14 February 2008, Woods joined League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
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.