| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen John Woods | ||
| Date of birth | 15 December 1976 | ||
| Place of birth | Davenham, Cheshire, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position | Central Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Retired | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1992–1994 | Stoke City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1994-1999 | Stoke City | 34 | (0) |
| 1998 | → Plymouth Argyle (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 1999–2001 | Chesterfield | 25 | (0) |
| 2001–2009 | Torquay United | 247 | (11) |
| 2009–2010 | Stalybridge Celtic | 38 | (1) |
| 2010–2011 | Northwich Victoria | 10 | (0) |
| 2011 | → FC Halifax Town (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:45, 25 January 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Stephen John 'Steve' Woods (born 15 December 1976) is an English professional footballer.
Contents |
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.[1]
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,[2] 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.
He spent the 2009 pre-season with Morecambe, joining Stalybridge Celtic in August 2009.
For the 2010/11 season he signed with Northwich Victoria[3] 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.[4]
Woods has retired from football before the 2011/12 season to spend more time with his family and enjoy a full summer of cricket with Weaverham Cricket Club where he bats for not-outs and averages. His efforts have been amplified by an Australian desperate to lose the team averages.