Martin Paul Woods (born 1 January 1986) is a Scottish footballer and coach who plays as a midfielder for National League club Boston United, and also previously served as the club's interim manager.

Martin Woods
Personal information
Full name Martin Paul Woods
Date of birth (1986-01-01) 1 January 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Airdrie, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Boston United
Number 8
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Leeds United 1 (0)
2005Hartlepool United (loan) 6 (0)
2005–2006 Sunderland 7 (0)
2006–2007 Rotherham United 36 (4)
2007–2013 Doncaster Rovers 113 (7)
2008Yeovil Town (loan) 3 (0)
2013–2014 Doncaster Rovers 4 (0)
2014 Barnsley 8 (0)
2014–2015 Ross County 27 (2)
2015 Shrewsbury Town 4 (0)
2015–2017 Ross County 55 (2)
2017–2018 Partick Thistle 18 (0)
2018–2019 Dundee 24 (2)
2020–2022 FC Halifax Town 69 (6)
2022–2023 Brackley Town 26 (4)
2023– Boston United 41 (2)
International career
Scotland U17
Scotland U19
2006 Scotland U21 2 (0)
Managerial career
2024 Boston United (interim manager)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:00, 14 December 2024 (UTC)

Woods career started at Leeds United and during his time there had a spell on loan at Hartlepool United. He then moved on to Sunderland, Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers, and also spent time on loan at Yeovil Town. Following a short spell at Barnsley, Woods signed for Ross County in October 2014. He had two spells with County, interrupted by a year at Shrewsbury Town. Woods signed for Partick Thistle in October 2017, then joined Dundee in November 2018. After a brief hiatus, Woods played with Halifax Town for two seasons.

Football career

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Leeds United

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Woods started his career at the Leeds United academy, where he was capped by Scotland Youth. He made just one substitute appearance for the first team. In September 2004, he went on loan to Hartlepool United,[1] making his professional debut in a 3–2 defeat away at Oldham Athletic on 11 September 2004.[2] In October 2004, his loan was extended for a second month.[3]

Sunderland

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At the end of his Leeds contract, Woods turned down a new deal, in favour of joining Sunderland.[4] He made seven appearances in the Premier League, but this included only one start. In May 2006, Woods was released by Sunderland.[5]

Rotherham United

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After leaving Sunderland, Woods signed for Rotherham United in League One.[6] He scored his first senior goal, described as "spectacular" by BBC Sport, in a 3–2 defeat against Doncaster Rovers on 27 January 2007.[7]

Doncaster Rovers

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On 5 June 2007, Woods transferred to Doncaster Rovers, agreeing a four-year contract.[8] He signed another long-term contract extension in September 2010.[9]

Following his release in the summer of 2013, he had a final brief spell at the club on non-contract terms,[10] before opting to join Barnsley.

Barnsley

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Woods signed for Barnsley on a short-term deal at the end of the January 2014 transfer window.[11]

Ross County

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Woods signed for Scottish Premiership club Ross County in October 2014, agreeing a contract until the end of January 2015.[12] He made his debut on 25 October 2014, as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against St Mirren.[13] On 7 January 2015, Woods extended his contract until the end of the season.[14]

Shrewsbury Town

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At the end of the Scottish Premiership season, Woods joined newly promoted League One side Shrewsbury Town in May 2015.[15]

Ross County (second spell)

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On 31 August 2015, having asked to be released from his contract with Shrewsbury, Woods returned to Ross County, signing a two-year contract with the option of a third.[16] This option was not exercised, and he left Ross County in the summer of 2017.

Partick Thistle

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Woods signed for Partick Thistle in October 2017, on a contract to the end of the 2017–18 season.[17] Thistle were relegated via the playoffs at the end of the season. Following that relegation, Woods was one of many players released by Thistle.[18]

Dundee

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Woods signed a short-term contract with Dundee in November 2018.[19] He was released by the club at the end of the season.[20]

Halifax Town

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After a full season out, Woods signed with National League side FC Halifax Town.[21] After two seasons with the club, Woods would leave Halifax in June 2022.[22]

Brackley Town

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On 7 October 2022, Woods signed for National League North club Brackley Town.[23] He would leave the club at the end of the season after they reached the play-off final, and also assisting caretaker manager Gareth Dean.[24]

Boston United

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On 19 May 2023, Woods joined National League North side Boston United for the upcoming season.[24] Woods was a regular starter for the Pilgrims in their successful campaign which ended with earning promotion to the National League through a surprise run through the National League North play-offs.[25] On 27 May 2024, Woods signed a contract extension to keep him with the club for the following season.[26]

Interim manager

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On 31 October 2024, Woods was appointed as the interim manager of Boston United following the departure of previous manager Ian Culverhouse.[27] Woods remained in the role until 19 November when Graham Coughlan was hired as first team manager, having drawn once and lost once as interim manager.[28] Woods made his return as a player on 30 November following an injury, coming on as a substitute in a goalless draw against Ebbsfleet United.[29]

International career

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Woods was capped by Scotland at schoolboy, under-17, under-19 and under-21[30] levels.

Career statistics

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As of 14 December 2024
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leeds United 2004–05[31] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Hartlepool United (loan) 2004–05[31] League One 6 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 8 0
Sunderland 2005–06[32] Premier League 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 0
Rotherham United 2006–07[33] League One 36 4 0 0 2 0 1[a] 0 39 4
Doncaster Rovers 2007–08[34] League One 14 0 2 0 2 0 2[a] 1 20 1
2008–09[35] Championship 41 2 4 0 1 0 0 0 46 2
2009–10[36] Championship 24 5 0 0 2 1 0 0 26 6
2010–11[37] Championship 15 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 1
2011–12[38] Championship 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2012–13[39] League One 15 0 1 1 2 0 1[a] 0 19 1
2013–14[40] Championship 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Total 117 8 9 1 7 1 3 1 136 11
Yeovil Town (loan) 2007–08[34] League One 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Barnsley 2013–14[40] Championship 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Ross County 2014–15[41] Scottish Premiership 27 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 28 2
Shrewsbury Town 2015–16[42] League One 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
Ross County 2015–16[42] Scottish Premiership 26 1 2 0 3 1 0 0 31 2
2016–17[43] Scottish Premiership 29 1 2 0 4 0 0 0 35 1
Total 55 2 4 0 7 1 0 0 66 3
Partick Thistle 2017–18[44] Scottish Premiership 18 0 1 0 0 0 2[b] 0 21 0
Dundee 2018–19[45] Scottish Premiership 24 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 2
FC Halifax Town 2020–21 National League 36 4 1 0 0 0 2[c] 0 39 4
2021–22 National League 33 2 2 0 0 0 4[d] 0 39 2
Total 69 6 3 0 0 0 6 0 78 6
Brackley Town 2022–23 National League North 26 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 4
Boston United 2023–24 National League North 32 2 2 1 0 0 4[e] 0 38 3
2024–25 National League 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Total 42 2 2 1 0 0 4 0 48 3
Career total 443 30 21 2 19 2 16 1 500 35
  1. ^ a b c d Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs
  3. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in the FA Trophy and National League Play-offs
  5. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, three appearances in National League North play-offs

Honours

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Ross County

Boston United

References

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  1. ^ Dunn, Alex. "Cooper seals Woods deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Oldham 3–2 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 11 September 2004. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  3. ^ "Woods extends spell at Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 13 October 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Woods out to beat old club". The Star. 16 September 2010.
  5. ^ "Midfielder Woods exits Sunderland". BBC Sport. 15 May 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Millers recruit ex-Sunderland man". BBC Sport. 1 August 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Doncaster 3–2 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 27 January 2007. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  8. ^ "Doncaster bring in Miller Woods". BBC Sport. 5 June 2007. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  9. ^ "Martin Woods signs new deal at Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  10. ^ "Martin Woods rejoins the club on a short-term contract". Sky Sports. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Transfer news: Barnsley have signed winger Martin Woods". Sky Sports. 31 January 2014.
  12. ^ Ross County sign up midfielder Martin Woods, BBC Sport
  13. ^ "St Mirren 2 Ross County 2: Scottish Premiership relegation six-pointer ends all-square in Paisley". Daily Record. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  14. ^ "Woods dealt in at Ross County until the summer". Highland News. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  15. ^ "Ross County: Woods exits as Gardyne & Boyd sign new deals". BBC Sport. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  16. ^ "Ross County: Martin Woods returns from Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  17. ^ "Thistle announce signing of Woods". Scottish Professional Football League. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Playing squad update". ptfc.co.uk. Partick Thistle FC. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Martin Woods: Midfielder signs short-term deal with Dundee". BBC Sport. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  20. ^ "Dundee: Fourteen players exit after relegation, including Martin Woods and Genseric Kusunga". BBC Sport. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  21. ^ "Martin Woods signs". fchalifaxtown.com. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  22. ^ "FC Halifax Town announce retained list". halifaxcourier.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  23. ^ "NEW SIGNING: MARTIN WOODS JOINS BRACKLEY TOWN". brackleytownfc.com. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Woods becomes second summer signing". www.bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Brackley 1-2 Boston: Pilgrims promoted to National League". BBC Sport. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Woods becomes latest to commit". www.bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Update - First Team". www.bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  28. ^ "Coughlan appointed United manager". www.bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Boston United". www.bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Scotland U21 Player Martin Woods Details".
  31. ^ a b "Games played by Martin Woods in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  32. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  33. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  34. ^ a b "Games played by Martin Woods in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  35. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  36. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  37. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  38. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  39. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  40. ^ a b "Games played by Martin Woods in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  41. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Martin Woods in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  43. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  44. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  45. ^ "Games played by Martin Woods in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  46. ^ Wilson, Richard (13 March 2016). "Scottish League Cup Final: Hibernian 1 Ross County 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
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