Woods: Martin Paul (Martin)

2003-2005 (Player Details)

Midfield

Born: Brishill: 01-01-1986

Debut: Sunderland (a) (Substitute): 26-12-2004

5’9” 10st 9lb (2007)

Woods started his career as a trainee at Leeds United where he was capped by Scotland Youth. He made just one substitute appearance for Leeds before a loan spell at Hartlepool United where he made three League starts and three more from the bench with another two in the cup competitions. His next move took him to Sunderland where he made one League start and another six from the bench with another start in the League Cup. He scored in his debut pre-season but failed to make an impact and was released at the end of the 2005-06 season. He signed for Rotherham United on 1st August 2006 as an attacking left-sided midfield player noted for his long range shooting and free kicks. Woods was a regular in the first team for the Millers, receiving the ‘Man of the Match’ award regularly. He scored his first goal against local rivals Doncaster Rovers, where he shot the ball into the top left corner of the net from twenty-five yards, in a match where the Millers were 3-2 losers. Woods scored his second goal for the club against Swansea, with an unstoppable shot from thirty yards in the dying seconds of the match. Less than a week later he continued his excellent run of form with two superb goals during Rotherham's 4-1 victory over Bradford City. The first was an astounding free kick from over fifty-five yards; the second a volley from just outside the box which left the keeper helpless. He scored four times in thirty-one starts and five more from the bench in League games while at Millmooor and he made three other appearances in the Cup competitions. On 5th June 2007, Woods was transferred to Doncaster Rovers, after Rotherham had been relegated. He elected to join Rovers despite interest from Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Scunthorpe United. He made seven League starts and a further seven from the bench. He scored his only goal in a Cup match in one of his six appearances in those competitions in 2007-08. On 14th February 2008, Woods joined Yeovil Town on a one-month loan deal and started three League games with them. He was a virtual ever-present in the 2009-10 season to the end of December 2009, but was out until March 2010 due to suspension and a groin operation, but regained his first-team place. He had scored six times in sixty-four starts and fifteen games from the bench in the League, scored once in two Johnstone's Paint Trophy games and once in four starts and one game from the bench in the League Cup but didn't score in Six F.A. Cup starts, in his games with Doncaster until the end of the 2009-10 season. He has represented Scotland at Youth level and twice at Under-Twenty-one level.