Martyn Woolford

Martyn Woolford

Woolford playing for York City in 2007
Personal information
Full name Martyn Paul Woolford[1]
Date of birth (1985-10-13) 13 October 1985[1]
Place of birth Castleford, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current team
 Fleetwood Town
Number 23
Youth career
0000–2002 Glasshoughton Welfare
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2005 Glasshoughton Welfare
2005–2006 Frickley Athletic 44 (13)
2006–2008 York City 86 (22)
2008–2011 Scunthorpe United 103 (15)
2011–2013 Bristol City 55 (4)
2013–2015 Millwall 93 (11)
2015–2016 Sheffield United 28 (1)
2016– Fleetwood Town 8 (1)
National team
2008 England C 2 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:49, 4 November 2016 (UTC).


Martyn Paul Woolford (born 13 October 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for League One club Fleetwood Town.

Woolford started his career in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division with Glasshoughton Welfare after progressing through their youth system. After three seasons at Glasshoughton, he moved to the Northern Premier League Premier Division with Frickley Athletic and scored 14 goals during the 2005–06 season. He joined York City in the Conference National in 2006 and spent two seasons with the club, being joint top scorer with 17 goals in the second season. He moved to League One team Scunthorpe United in 2008 and featured in the 2009 Football League Trophy Final before scoring the winning goal in the 2009 League One play-off Final against Millwall.

After a season-and-a-half of playing Championship football with Scunthorpe, he signed for their divisional rivals Bristol City in 2013. Two years later he signed for another Championship club, Millwall, but was released after their relegation to League One in 2015. He joined League One club Sheffield United, where he played one season before joining their divisional rivals Fleetwood Town. He played for the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, in 2008, earning two caps. He made his debut against Grenada and earned his second and final cap against India.

Club career

Early career

Born in Castleford, West Yorkshire,[1] Woolford started his career with Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division team Glasshoughton Welfare in 2002 after progressing through their youth system.[2][3] Following the end of the 2002–03 season he was given the award for the club's Most Improved Player and early in the 2003–04 season he established himself as an "emerging talent".[4][5] He played one game for the youth team of Doncaster Rovers in April 2005,[6] but was not taken on by the club, and was also rejected by Barnsley and Bradford City.[7] After three seasons at Glasshoughton, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Frickley Athletic in August 2005, having impressed during several pre-season matches.[8] He was awarded an FA contract running to the end of the 2005–06 season in October, with the option of another year.[9] He made 40 league appearances and scored 12 goals for Frickley in the 2005–06 season,[10] with 14 goals in all competitions,[11] after which the club exercised their option to extend his contract for another season.[12]

York City

Woolford playing for York City in 2007

He had a trial with Stockport County of League Two during their pre-season trip to Ibiza in August 2006, but was not offered a contract.[11] He was being tracked by Hartlepool United and York City,[11] and also attracted interest from Guiseley.[13] He eventually signed for Conference National side York on 31 August for an undisclosed five-figure fee after having made four appearances and scored one goal for Frickley at that point in the 2006–07 season.[14][15] He made his debut a day later in a 0–0 draw with Stafford Rangers after coming on as a 57th minute substitute.[16] During his first start for the team, he was substituted for goalkeeper Arran Reid in the 17th minute after Tom Evans was sent off.[17][18] He scored his first goal for York in the team's 3–2 home loss to Morecambe on 12 September.[19] A week later, he scored both York's goals in a 2–1 away victory over Woking.[20] He featured in both legs of York's play-off semi-final defeat to Morecambe 2–1 on aggregate and finished the 2006–07 season with 45 appearances and eight goals,[21] after which the club exercised their option to extend his contract for another season.[22]

He signed a new contract with York in October 2007, which would expire in the summer of 2009.[23] He played in a more central position behind the strikers during the 2007–08 season.[24] He scored two goals in two minutes against Altrincham on 19 January 2008, which earned York a 2–2 draw,[25] during which he played as a striker.[26] Manager Colin Walker confirmed that several enquiries had been made about signing Woolford during the January transfer window.[27] Woolford was set a 20-goal target by Walker in April 2008, at which point he had scored 16 goals.[28] He was watched by Crewe Alexandra's director of football Dario Gradi in April 2008,[29] after which Walker insisted he was still a part of York's plans for the next season.[30] He finished the 2007–08 season with 57 appearances and 17 goals.[31] He rejected speculation linking him with a move away from York in June, saying he would only move to a club two divisions higher.[32]

Scunthorpe United

Woolford after Scunthorpe United's victory in the 2009 League One play-off Final

Woolford rejected a new contract with York during the summer of 2008, with Cheltenham Town and another club believed to be interested in signing him.[33] He eventually joined League One side Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract on 8 August 2008,[34] with the fee believed to be a six-figure fee with a sell-on clause.[35] He made his Football League debut as an 87th-minute substitute in a 1–0 victory against Peterborough United on 23 August 2008.[36] He scored four minutes into his first start for Scunthorpe against Brighton & Hove Albion on 6 September 2008, giving his side the lead, in a match which eventually finished 4–1.[37] He came on as a 77th-minute substitute for Scunthorpe in the 2009 Football League Trophy Final on 5 April 2009, which was lost 3–2 to League Two team Luton Town after extra time.[36] Woolford scored the winning goal for Scunthorpe in the 2009 League One play-off Final against Millwall on 24 May 2009, with a goal in the 85th minute that gave the team a 3–2 victory, and also assisting the other two goals.[36][38] This resulted in promotion to the Championship for Scunthorpe and he was named man of the match.[39]

His first appearance of the 2009–10 season was in a 4–0 defeat at Cardiff City on 8 August 2009.[40] He scored the winning goal for Scunthorpe against Derby County on 15 August 2009, which finished as a 3–2 victory.[40] Woolford scored two goals against Newcastle United on 20 October 2009 to give Scunthorpe a 2–1 victory.[40] He finished the season with 46 appearances and five goals.[40]

Woolford started the 2010–11 season after playing in a 2–1 victory at Reading on 7 August 2010 and his first goal of the season was the winner in the 83rd minute of a 2–1 victory over League One team Oldham Athletic in the League Cup on 10 August.[41]

Bristol City

Woolford signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with fellow Championship club Bristol City after joining for an undisclosed fee on 31 January 2011.[42] He made his debut in a 4–0 victory at Preston North End on 5 February 2011,[41] in which he assisted a Brett Pitman goal.[43]

Millwall

Woolford signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Championship club Millwall on 9 January 2013.[44] He made his debut after starting in a 1–1 draw away to Bolton Wanderers on 12 January 2013.[45] Woolford was released by Millwall on 7 May 2015 after their relegation to League One, having made 40 appearances and scored three goals in the 2014–15 season.[46][47]

Sheffield United and Fleetwood Town

Woolford signed a two-year contract with League One club Sheffield United on 14 July 2015, having previously played under manager Nigel Adkins at Scunthorpe.[48] He was released by United on 19 August 2016, having fallen out of favour under manager Chris Wilder,[49] and immediately joined League One club Fleetwood Town on a one-year contract.[50]

International career

Woolford was placed on standby for the England C team for their 2007–09 International Challenge Trophy match against Wales in February 2008.[51] He was called into the squad in May for two games in the Caribbean after an injury to Dean Moxey.[52] His debut came in a 1–1 draw with Grenada on 31 May 2008 and was described as a "constant threat down the left",[53] and earned his second cap as a 67th-minute substitute against Barbados on 2 June.[54]

Style of play

Woolford plays as a left winger,[55] where he has been described as being "fleetfooted".[56] He is versatile and has also played as a wing-back, left midfielder and a striker and has also been used in a more "roaming, attacking role" to offer support to a lone striker.[55][57]

Personal life

He was studying for a degree in civil engineering at Leeds Metropolitan University while playing for Frickley and a degree in surveying in 2006.[56][58] While at university, he worked on a building site.[59] He achieved a Higher National Diploma in civil engineering and has said he is looking to complete this degree before the end of his football career.[60] He comes from a family of professional sportsmen; father Neil and grandfather Cyril were both rugby league players with Featherstone Rovers.[61] He has cited his father's encouragement as the main influence in his footballing career.[62] He is a supporter of Manchester United.[63]

Career statistics

Woolford playing for York City in 2008
As of match played 22 October 2016
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Frickley Athletic 2005–06[10] NPL Premier Division 401200—1[lower-alpha 1]04112
2006–07[15] NPL Premier Division 41———41
Total 441300—104513
York City 2006–07[21] Conference National 40820—3[lower-alpha 2]0458
2007–08[31] Conference Premier 461420—9[lower-alpha 3]35717
Total 862240—12310225
Scunthorpe United 2008–09[36] League One 394300010[lower-alpha 4]3527
2009–10[40] Championship 4052040—465
2010–11[41] Championship 2461022—278
Total 10315606210312520
Bristol City 2010–11[41] Championship 150———150
2011–12[64] Championship 2511010—271
2012–13[45] Championship 1531010—173
Total 5542020—594
Millwall 2012–13[45] Championship 151———151
2013–14[65] Championship 4071121—439
2014–15[46] Championship 3832000—403
Total 93113121—9813
Sheffield United 2015–16[66] League One 28110203[lower-alpha 5]0341
2016–17[67] League One 00—00—00
Total 281102030341
Fleetwood Town 2016–17[67] League One 8100—2[lower-alpha 6]0101
Career total 4176716112328647377
  1. ↑ Appearance in Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs
  2. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, two in Conference National play-offs
  3. ↑ Seven appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, two appearances and one goal in Conference League Cup
  4. ↑ Seven appearances and one goal in Football League Trophy, three appearances and two goals in League One play-offs
  5. ↑ Appearances in Football League Trophy
  6. ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Scunthorpe United

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 444. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "Woolford hits winner in Wembley victory". Pontefract & Castleford Express. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Flett, Dave (1 September 2006). "No stamp for Ryan deal but Woolford at the door". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Welfare in great shape for new soccer season". Pontefract & Castleford Express. 2 July 2003. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Recent match reports". Glasshoughton Welfare A.F.C. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Rovers Youth 0 Rotherham Utd 1". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 24 April 2005. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Flett, Dave (8 August 2007). "League goal spurs Woolly". The Press. York. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  8. ↑ "Marrow gets Woolford and now wants Butler". Non-League Daily. 2 August 2005. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Contract reward for Woolford". Non-League Daily. 31 October 2005. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Player Details: Season 2005–2006: Steve Woolford". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
    "Player Details: Season 2005–2006: Martyn Woolford". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 "Minstermen win the race for Woolford". Non-League Daily. 1 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Woolford is wanted". Non-League Daily. 10 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "Keen interest in Woolford". Non-League Daily. 28 August 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
  14. ↑ "Blues news". Frickley Athletic F.C. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Player Details: Season 2006–2007: Martyn Woolford". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "York 0–0 Stafford Rangers". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  17. ↑ "Crawley 3–0 York". BBC Sport. 9 September 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  18. ↑ Flett, Dave (11 September 2006). "Crawley 3, York City 0". The Press. York. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  19. ↑ "York 2–3 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  20. ↑ "Woking 1–2 York". BBC Sport. 19 September 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  21. 1 2 Batters, David (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 408–409, 420–421. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  22. ↑ Flett, Dave (16 May 2007). "Midfielder Steve among eight released by City". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  23. ↑ "Woolford pens new York contract". BBC Sport. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  24. ↑ Flett, Dave (11 December 2007). "City 'wing' ace revels in freedom to roam". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  25. ↑ "Woolford double rescues point for City". The Press. York. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  26. ↑ Carroll, Steve (21 January 2008). "City boss hails 'frontman' Woolford". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  27. ↑ Flett, Dave (22 January 2008). "City players attracting interest during transfer window". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  28. ↑ Flett, Dave (12 April 2008). "A twenty-goal vision for Mart". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  29. ↑ "Gradi targets Wooly to join his Crewe". The Press. York. 14 April 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  30. ↑ Flett, Dave (15 April 2008). "Woolford staying put". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  31. 1 2 Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 410–411, 420–421.
  32. ↑ Flett, Dave (10 June 2008). "City's England ace ignores talk on future". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  33. ↑ Flett, Dave (8 August 2008). "Woolford eyes exit". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  34. ↑ "Woolford makes Scunthorpe switch". BBC Sport. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  35. ↑ "Woolford signs for Scunthorpe". The Press. York. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  37. ↑ "Brighton 1–4 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  38. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (24 May 2009). "Millwall 2–3 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  39. ↑ "League 1 play-off Final – match report". The Football League. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  42. ↑ "Bristol City sign Scunthorpe winger Martyn Woolford". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  43. ↑ "Preston 0–4 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  44. ↑ "Millwall sign Martyn Woolford from Bristol City". BBC Sport. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  45. 1 2 3 "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  46. 1 2 "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  47. ↑ "Alan Dunne among 18 Millwall players released". BBC Sport. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  48. ↑ "Martyn Woolford: Sheffield United sign ex-Millwall midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  49. ↑ Hall, Danny (19 August 2016). "Video: John Brayford and Martyn Woolford leave Sheffield United". The Star. Sheffield. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  50. ↑ "Town announce Woolford signing". Fleetwood Town F.C. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  51. ↑ Flett, Dave (6 February 2008). "England call for City pair". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  52. ↑ "Win for the title". The Football Association. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  53. ↑ "Grenada hold England C". The Football Association. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  54. ↑ "Cs win in Barbados". The Football Association. 3 June 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  55. 1 2 Flett, Dave (21 April 2008). "Torquay Utd 0, York City 0". The Press. York. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  56. 1 2 Wright, Lewis (26 May 2009). "Former Frickley Player Sends Scunthorpe to the Championship". Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  57. ↑ "Woolford eager for Wembley chance". BBC Sport. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  58. ↑ Hughes, Claire (11 November 2006). "Student Martyn sits his Cup exam". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  59. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (24 May 2009). "Woolford's dreams come true at Wembley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  60. ↑ "Q&A with Martyn Woolford". Scunthorpe United F.C. 17 November 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  61. ↑ Culley, Jon (24 January 2010). "Hungry Woolford values shot at City millionaires". The Independent. London. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  62. ↑ "ASWC: 8 Things About......Martyn Woolford". YouTube. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
  63. ↑ Stewart, Rob (23 January 2010). "Scunthorpe look to strike FA Cup blow against Manchester City". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  67. 1 2 "Games played by Martyn Woolford in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
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