Sam Wood (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Samuel James Wood is an English professional footballer who plays for Football League One
side Brentford
. Wood is a left-sided and right-sided player who can play either at full back
or on the wing.
. He progressed through the ranks at the club before joining the reserve team in 2002 and eventually making his first team debut in 2003. During his time at Cray, he became a fans' favourite, helping the club to the quarter-final of the FA Vase
and promotion
to the Isthmian League
, each for the first time in the club's history, in the 2003–04 season, and scoring Cray supporters' goal of the season to clinch a 2–0 victory against AFC Wimbledon
to end their 78-game unbeaten run. He finished his Cray career with 8 goals from 94 games, and then signed for Bromley
, the club whose ground Cray shared
, in 2005.
At Bromley, Wood won the Supporters' Player of the Year award in 2006 and the Club Player of the Year in 2007, and scored 21 goals from 159 appearances. His performances attracted interest from professional clubs, and after trials with clubs including Gillingham
, Charlton Athletic
and Wolverhampton Wanderers
, Wood joined League Two
club Brentford
in May 2008.
, but picked up an injury in their 1–0 loss which kept him out for a few weeks. He proved his fitness by playing the full 90 minutes – and scoring – in a practice game, and returned to the first team as a substitute in the 1–1 draw with Lincoln City
. He scored his first goal for the club on 28 December against Exeter City
, and played regularly for the first team, helping the Bees to the 2008–09 League Two
title, as well as scooping several individual awards including the supporters' Player of the Season.
In his second season, Wood lost his place on the left wing due to the form of Myles Weston
, but was a regular in the team, either playing on the right wing or at left-back in place of the injury-prone Ryan Dickson
.
Bromley
Brentford
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 Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
. Wood is a left-sided and right-sided player who can play either at full back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or on the wing.
Early career
Sam Wood started playing football for Long Lane before joining Cray WanderersCray Wanderers F.C.
Cray Wanderers F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in Bromley, London. It is one of the oldest football clubs in the world. The club was established in 1860 in the twin villages of St. Mary Cray and St Paul's Cray, near Orpington, then in the county of Kent.They currently play...
. He progressed through the ranks at the club before joining the reserve team in 2002 and eventually making his first team debut in 2003. During his time at Cray, he became a fans' favourite, helping the club to the quarter-final of the FA Vase
FA Vase
The Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System...
and promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to the Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
, each for the first time in the club's history, in the 2003–04 season, and scoring Cray supporters' goal of the season to clinch a 2–0 victory against AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
to end their 78-game unbeaten run. He finished his Cray career with 8 goals from 94 games, and then signed for Bromley
Bromley F.C.
Bromley Football Club are an English football club based in Bromley, in Greater London, England. They currently play in the Conference South, and play their home matches at Hayes Lane.-Early years:...
, the club whose ground Cray shared
Groundshare
Groundshare is the principle of sharing a stadium between two local sport teams. This is usually done for the purpose of reducing the costs of either construction of two separate facilities and related maintenance. -Intersport Groundshares:...
, in 2005.
At Bromley, Wood won the Supporters' Player of the Year award in 2006 and the Club Player of the Year in 2007, and scored 21 goals from 159 appearances. His performances attracted interest from professional clubs, and after trials with clubs including Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, Wood joined League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
in May 2008.
Brentford (2008 – present)
After impressing in pre-season, Wood made his Football League debut for Brentford against BuryBury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, but picked up an injury in their 1–0 loss which kept him out for a few weeks. He proved his fitness by playing the full 90 minutes – and scoring – in a practice game, and returned to the first team as a substitute in the 1–1 draw with Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
. He scored his first goal for the club on 28 December against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
, and played regularly for the first team, helping the Bees to the 2008–09 League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
title, as well as scooping several individual awards including the supporters' Player of the Season.
In his second season, Wood lost his place on the left wing due to the form of Myles Weston
Myles Weston
Myles Arthur Eugene Wesley Weston is an English footballer who plays as a left winger for Brentford. He is also a capable striker.-Club career:Weston was born in Lewisham, London...
, but was a regular in the team, either playing on the right wing or at left-back in place of the injury-prone Ryan Dickson
Ryan Dickson
Ryan Anthony Dickson is an English footballer who plays as a left back for Southampton. Born in Saltash, Cornwall, he began his career with local club Plymouth Argyle and also played on loan for Torquay United and Brentford, joining them permanently in 2008...
.
Honours
Cray Wanderers- Kent LeagueKent LeagueThe Kent League is an English football league for teams based in Kent and south east London, which was established in 1966. It was also the name of a similar league which existed from 1894 until 1959.-History:...
: 2002–03, 2003–04
Bromley
- Kent Senior CupKent Senior CupThe Kent Senior Cup is an English football competition played between senior clubs in the county of Kent. It is administered by the Kent County Football Association.-History:...
: 2005–06, 2006–07 - London Senior CupLondon Senior CupThe London Senior Cup is the County Senior Cup of the London FA. The London Senior Cup was first won by Upton Park in 1882. Although the leading professional sides in London no longer compete, the Cup has been won in the past by the likes of Arsenal , Brentford, Wimbledon and...
: Runners-up 2006–07 - Isthmian League: Play-off winners 2006–07
Brentford
- League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
: 2008–09
External links
- Player profile at Brentford F.C.
- Article at the Football League's website