Steve Woods
Encyclopedia
Stephen John 'Steve' Woods (born 15 December 1976) is an English
professional footballer
.
, 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.
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, 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.
In March 2009, Torquay manager Paul Buckle announced that the club would not be offering Woods a new contract for the 2009/2010 season, citing his reasons as wanting to bring through his younger players such as Mark Ellis and Chris Robertson. The decision is generally viewed by Torquay fans as a poor one, and this has been shown by much chanting at games calling for Woods to remain.
, joining Stalybridge Celtic
in August 2009.
and in September 2010 he commenced on a part-time Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Salford
. In March 2011 he joined FC Halifax Town
on loan.
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
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
.
Early career
Woods was born in DavenhamDavenham
Davenham is a rural village and civil parish approximately south of the town of Northwich, part of the Borough of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire in England. It has a population of 5,655. The village is close to the A556 and A533 roads and both the River Dane and...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
and began his career as a trainee with Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, turning professional in August 1994. He made his league debut in March 1998, coming on as first half substitute for Ally Pickering
Ally Pickering
Albert Gary "Ally" Pickering is a retired English football defender, who turned manager.-Player:He played in the Football League for Burnley, Chester City Coventry City, Rotherham United, Coventry City and Stoke City. He made eighty three appearances for Stoke.-Manager:From November 2001 to July...
in a 2-1 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. Later that month he joined Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on loan, making 5 appearances before returning to Stoke.
He finally got his first start for Stoke, under manager Brian Little
Brian Little (footballer)
Brian Little is an English former football player and manager who is currently without a job after being relieved of his duties as manager of Gainsborough Trinity on 22 August 2011. Little has previously managed Darlington, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City,...
, on the opening day of the 1998-99 season, a 3-1 home victory over Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
, and became a regular in the Stoke side until the following March.
He was released by Stoke in May 1999 and joined Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
in July 1999. He failed to establish himself at Chesterfield and was allowed to join Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on trial in November 2000.
Torquay United
He returned to Chesterfield at the end of his trial and moved to Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on a free transfer in August 2001. He initially signed on a short-term contract, making an impressive debut against Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in the Worthington Cup
Worthington cup
Worthington Cup may refer to:* The Football League Cup, an English professional football trophy, known by this name when sponsored by the Worthington brand of beer between 1998 and 2003.* The Worthington Trophy, a Canadian military award....
. Torquay manager Roy McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
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, which was extended as he returned to form. He later helped Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior is a professional football coach and pundit. He is a former professional footballer whose clubs included Fulham, Queens Park Rangers , Bristol City and West Ham United.As one of the few black football managers in England, Rosenior has spoken openly about the racism...
'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
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in 2007 and was appointed captain for the following season.
In March 2009, Torquay manager Paul Buckle announced that the club would not be offering Woods a new contract for the 2009/2010 season, citing his reasons as wanting to bring through his younger players such as Mark Ellis and Chris Robertson. The decision is generally viewed by Torquay fans as a poor one, and this has been shown by much chanting at games calling for Woods to remain.
Stalybridge Celtic
He spent the 2009 pre-season with MorecambeMorecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
, joining Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic F.C.
Stalybridge Celtic are an English full time professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. The club, which plays its home matches at Bower Fold, is currently in the Conference North in the sixth tier of the English football league system...
in August 2009.
Northwich Victoria
For the 2010/11 season he signed with Northwich VictoriaNorthwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
and in September 2010 he commenced on a part-time Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Salford
University of Salford
The University of Salford is a campus university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England with approximately 20,000 registered students. The main campus is about west of Manchester city centre, on the A6, opposite the former home of the physicist, James Prescott Joule and the Working Class...
. In March 2011 he joined FC Halifax Town
F.C. Halifax Town
Football Club Halifax Town, otherwise known as FC Halifax Town are an English football team who currently play in the Conference North. The club replaced Halifax Town A.F.C. who went into administration during the 2007–08 season.-Formation:...
on loan.