Michael Woods (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Michael James Woods is an English
professional footballer who last played for Chelsea F.C.
as a midfielder
.
, 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. Eventually the two clubs later agreed an out-of-court settlement, with Chelsea paying £5 million in compensation for Woods and Tom Taiwo
.
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. 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. Woods was released by Chelsea
at the end of the 2010–11 season.
Woods went on a trial spell with Aberdeen
in July 2011. And is currently on trial at Walsall FC.
. In the summer of 2009, he was called up for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
in Egypt.
. His grandfather is ex-footballer Alan Woods
who played for York City
, amongst other clubs.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who last played for Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Born in YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, Woods turned down a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
from Leeds United
Leeds 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...
to sign for Chelsea. Leeds United chairman Ken Bates
Ken Bates
Kenneth William Bates is a British businessman and football executive. The current chairman and now owner of Leeds United AFC, Bates was previously chairman and majority shareholder of Chelsea FC from 1982 until 2003....
accused Chelsea of tapping-up
Tapping-up
In professional team sports, tapping up or tampering is an attempt to persuade a player contracted to one team to transfer to another team, without the knowledge or permission of the player's current team. This kind of approach is often made through the player's agent...
the sixteen-year-old as well as two other academy players. Eventually the two clubs later agreed an out-of-court settlement, with Chelsea paying £5 million in compensation for Woods and Tom Taiwo
Tom Taiwo
Thomas James William "Tom" Taiwo is an English footballer who plays for League One club Carlisle United as a midfielder....
.
After spending time in the reserves, Woods made his first-team debut for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
against Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
in the third round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
on 6 January 2007, making him the fourth-youngest player to ever play for Chelsea at 16 years and 275 days old. He came on as a substitute for Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
in the 79th minute. He made two appearances for Chelsea in the FA Cup, but did not play in the Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
. Although his progress was interrupted by a series of injuries, he was ever-present in the reserves. Woods was released by Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
at the end of the 2010–11 season.
Woods went on a trial spell with Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in July 2011. And is currently on trial at Walsall FC.
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 Cup2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007 was held in the Korea Republic between 18 August and 9 September 2007. For this event, the number of teams had been expanded from 16 to 24, with the top two of each group and the four best third-place teams advancing to the Round of 16...
. In the summer of 2009, he was called up for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, was the 17th U-20 tournament, which was hosted by Egypt from 24 September to 16 October, in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and Ismaïlia...
in Egypt.
Personal life
He is the nephew of Walsall Football Club, Head of Youth Neil WoodsNeil Woods
Neil Stephen Woods is a former English footballer who played as a striker and former manager of Grimsby Town where he also played between 1990 and 1998. He now works as the Head of Youth at Football League One side Walsall...
. His grandfather is ex-footballer Alan Woods
Alan Woods (footballer)
Alan Edward Woods is an English former footballer.His son Neil Woods and grandson Michael Woods are also active in football.-External links:*...
who played for York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
, amongst other clubs.