Martin Woods

Martin Paul Woods (born 1 January 1986) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League North club Boston United.

Martin Woods
Personal information
Full nameMartin Paul Woods
Date of birth (1986-01-01) 1 January 1986 (age 38)
Place of birthAirdrie, Scotland
Position(s)Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Boston United
Number8
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2003–2005Leeds United1(0)
2005Hartlepool United (loan)6(0)
2005–2006Sunderland7(0)
2006–2007Rotherham United36(4)
2007–2013Doncaster Rovers113(7)
2008Yeovil Town (loan)3(0)
2013–2014Doncaster Rovers4(0)
2014Barnsley8(0)
2014–2015Ross County27(2)
2015Shrewsbury Town4(0)
2015–2017Ross County55(2)
2017–2018Partick Thistle18(0)
2018–2019Dundee24(2)
2020–2022FC Halifax Town69(6)
2022–2023Brackley Town26(4)
2023–Boston United32(2)
International career
Scotland U17
Scotland U19
2006Scotland U212(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:00, 20 April 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

Leeds United

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

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

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

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

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

Ross County

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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]

International career

Woods was capped by Scotland at schoolboy, under-17, under-19 and under-21[27] levels.

Career statistics

As of 4 May 2024
Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United2004–05[28]Championship1000000010
Hartlepool United (loan)2004–05[28]League One6000101[a]080
Sunderland2005–06[29]Premier League7000100080
Rotherham United2006–07[30]League One36400201[a]0394
Doncaster Rovers2007–08[31]League One14020202[a]1201
2008–09[32]Championship412401000462
2009–10[33]Championship245002100266
2010–11[34]Championship151000000151
2011–12[35]Championship4010000050
2012–13[36]League One15011201[a]0191
2013–14[37]Championship4010000050
Total117891713113611
Yeovil Town (loan)2007–08[31]League One3000000030
Barnsley2013–14[37]Championship8000000080
Ross County2014–15[38]Scottish Premiership272100000282
Shrewsbury Town2015–16[39]League One4000100050
Ross County2015–16[39]Scottish Premiership261203100312
2016–17[40]Scottish Premiership291204000351
Total552407100663
Partick Thistle2017–18[41]Scottish Premiership18010002[b]0210
Dundee2018–19[42]Scottish Premiership242100000252
FC Halifax Town2020–21National League36410002[c]0394
2021–22National League33220004[d]0392
Total696300060786
Brackley Town2022–23National League North264000000264
Boston United2023–24National League North32221004[e]0383
Career total4333021219216149035

Honours

Ross County

Boston United

References