Ryan Woods (footballer, born 1993)

Ryan Michael Woods (born 13 December 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Millwall on loan from Stoke City.

Ryan Woods
Woods playing for Brentford in 2015
Personal information
Full name Ryan Michael Woods[1]
Date of birth (1993-12-13) 13 December 1993[2]
Place of birth Norton Canes, England[3]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder, full back
Club information
Current team
 Millwall
(on loan from Stoke City)
Number 19
Youth career
0000–2009 Walsall
2009–2012 Shrewsbury Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Shrewsbury Town 91 (1)
2015–2019 Brentford 122 (3)
2018–2019 → Stoke City (loan) 21 (0)
2019– Stoke City 14 (0)
2020 → Millwall (loan) 18 (0)
2020– → Millwall (loan) 19 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:40, 4 January 2021 (UTC)

Woods began his senior career with Shrewsbury Town and is a product of the Shrewsbury Town and Walsall youth systems. In 2015, after helping Shrewsbury to promotion back to League One, he transferred to Brentford for a fee of £1 million. He became a key member of the Brentford squad helping the team to establish themselves in the Championship. Woods spent four seasons at Griffin Park before joining Stoke City in August 2018.

Career

Shrewsbury Town

After rejecting a trial with Premier League club Aston Villa,[4] Woods began his youth career with local club Walsall, but was released at age 15 and moved to Shrewsbury Town in 2009.[5] He completed a scholarship and signed his first professional contract in May 2012.[6] Woods received his maiden call into the first team squad for a League One match at home to Carlisle United on 15 December 2012 and remained an unused substitute during the 2–1 win.[7] After six further calls into the squad,[7] Woods made his debut as an 89th-minute substitute for Aaron Wildig in a 1–0 home win over Oldham Athletic on 23 April 2013.[8] Four days later he played his only other game of the season, again replacing Wildig for the last six minutes of a 3–2 win against Portsmouth at the New Meadow.[8] He signed a contract extension on 10 June 2013.[9]

Woods made his first senior start for Shrewsbury Town away at Rotherham United on 24 August 2013,[10] playing at right back in the 2–2 draw, owing to a shortage of defenders.[11] He scored his first senior goal – and only Shrewsbury goal – in a 3–2 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons on 11 January 2014, netting in the seventh minute of the game at the Stadium mk.[12] Having established himself in the first team, making 43 appearances in all competitions in 2013–14,[12] it was announced on 13 May 2014 that Woods had triggered a clause in his contract to extend his stay at the club for at least another season, despite the Shrews' relegation to League Two.[13] He won two Player of the Year awards for his performances during the campaign, voted for by the Shrewsbury Town Away Travel Club and the Family Stand supporters.[14]

Woods had an excellent 2014–15 season, making 51 appearances and helping Shrewsbury secure automatic promotion back to League One with second-place finish.[15][16] It was announced after the season that Woods and teammate Connor Goldson had been awarded places in the League Two PFA Team of the Year.[17] Woods was nominated for the League Two Player of the Year at the Football League Awards,[18] but lost out to Danny Mayor of Bury.[19] Woods began the 2015–16 season as an ever-present and following vice-captain Connor Goldson's departure,[20] he captained Shrewsbury for the first time in a 1–1 draw away with Oldham Athletic on 22 August 2015.[21] Woods' final Shrewsbury appearance came on 29 August in a 1–0 defeat to Burton Albion and he departed the New Meadow three days later on transfer deadline day.[20][22] He made 103 appearances and scored one goal during his three years as a professional with Shrewsbury Town.[2]

Brentford

On 1 September 2015, Woods moved to Championship side Brentford on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee,[22] rumoured to be £1 million.[23] He made his debut 11 days later, away to Leeds United, as a 74th-minute substitute for Maxime Colin.[20] Two minutes after coming on, he turned over possession to Mirko Antenucci, who then scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw.[24] After the appointment of interim manager Lee Carsley later that month,[25] Woods became a regular starter.[26] He scored his first Brentford goal with a long-range strike to open a 2–1 win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium on 28 December, assisting Sergi Canós for the winning goal in the second half.[20][27] On 23 April 2016, he scored from a similar distance in a 4–1 win at Milton Keynes Dons, a result which relegated the opponents.[28] He finished the 2015–16 season with 42 appearances and two goals.[20]

After beginning the 2016–17 season as an ever-present in central midfield, Woods signed a new four-year contract on 31 August 2016.[29] He made 45 appearances during the season and won the club's Players' Player of the Year award.[30] Aside from a short period out of the team due to a personal issue,[31] Woods continued as an ever-present during the early months of the 2017–18 season and scored his first goal of the campaign in a 3–1 victory over Leeds United on 4 November 2017.[32] He received the first red card of his career as a result of "scuffling over the ball" with Sheffield United goalkeeper Jamal Blackman during a 1–1 draw on 30 March 2018.[33][34] Woods finished the 2017–18 season with 40 appearances, one goal and was voted the club's Supporters' Player of the Year.[33][35]

Stoke City

On 25 August 2018, Woods joined Championship side Stoke City from Brentford on an initial loan with a view to a permanent switch in January.[36] He made his debut for Stoke on 1 September 2018 against West Bromwich Albion.[37] Woods began his Stoke career well under Gary Rowett and was made stand-in captain in the absence of Ryan Shawcross.[38] However his form dropped off by December as Stoke were struggling to put a run of wins together.[39][40] Woods rarely featured in the second half of the campaign now under the management of Nathan Jones as Stoke finished in 16th position.[41][42]

Woods started three matches under Jones at the start of the 2019–20 season under Jones before losing his place in the side by September 2019.[43] Woods returned to the side under new manager Michael O'Neill in November 2019 starting in five consecutive games.[44] However he lost his place in the team again and was linked with a move away from the club in the January transfer window.[45]

Millwall (loan)

On 17 January 2020 Woods signed on loan with Millwall for the remainder of the 2019–20 season.[46] Woods played 18 times for the Lions as they narrowly missed out on a play-off place finishing in 8th position.[47] He re-signed with Millwall on loan for the 2020–21 season.[48]

Style of play

Although Woods' favoured position is as a central midfielder (being dubbed 'the ginger Pirlo' by the Shrewsbury Town supporters),[49] he can also play in a variety of positions in defence and midfield.[50] During the 2013–14 season he demonstrated his versatility by also playing right back, on the right hand side of midfield and at left back.[51][52] In January 2015, Four Four Two named Woods as one of the 10 best young players in the Football League.[53] The magazine reported that he demonstrates "an ability to play a range a passes, as well as easily creating space for himself" and quoted Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon as saying "he's the first player on the training pitch and the last off. He's a terrific kid and has some unbelievable ability".[53]

Personal life

Woods was born in Norton Canes, Staffordshire and grew up in Norton Canes.[4] He supported Walsall as a youngster.[54]

Career statistics
As of match played 18 July 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shrewsbury Town 2012–13[8] League One 2000000020
2013–14[12] League One 41110001[lower-alpha 1]0431
2014–15[15] League Two 43030401[lower-alpha 1]0510
2015–16[20] League One 500020—70
Total 9114060201031
Brentford 2015–16[20] Championship 4121000—422
2016–17[55] Championship 4202010—450
2017–18[33] Championship 3910010—401
2018–19[41] Championship 000010—10
Total 12233030—1283
Stoke City 2018–19[41] Championship 2700000—270
2019–20[56] Championship 801030—120
2020–21[57] Championship 000000—00
Total 3501030—390
Millwall (loan) 2019–20[56] Championship 1800000—180
2020–21[57] Championship 000000—00
Total 1800000—180
Career total 266480120202884
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy

Honours

Shrewsbury Town

Individual

References
  1. "EFL: Retained list: 2015/16" (PDF). English Football League. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  2. "Ryan Woods | Football Stats | Shrewsbury Town | Age 21 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  3. "Player Profile Ryan Woods". Shrewsbury Town FC. Shrewsbury Town FC. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  4. Dicken, Alex (15 September 2016). "Aston Villa: Meet the local star who stole the show for Brentford". birminghammail. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  5. "Ryan Woods lines up FA Cup revenge « Shropshire Star". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  6. "Contracts for Shrewsbury youngsters". BBC. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  7. "Ryan Woods Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  8. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  9. "Woods Signs". Shrewsweb. Shrewsbury Town FC. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  10. "Ryan Woods Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  11. Martin Wild. "Town 2 Rotherham 2". Shrewsweb. Shrewsweb. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  12. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  13. "Ryan Woods extends contract". Shrewsweb. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  14. "Shrewsbury's Joe Jacobson is the fans' choice at supporters end-of-season awards « Shropshire Star". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  15. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  16. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Shrewsbury Town League Table 2014-2015 - Statto.com". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  17. "League Two Team of the Year: Matt Grimes in after Exeter stint". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  18. "Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Year shortlist announced for The Football League Awards 2015". The Football League. 19 April 2015.
  19. "Kevin Phillips: Ex-England striker wins Football League award". BBC Sport. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  20. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  21. "Oldham 1 Town 1 Report and Pictures". Shropshire Star. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  22. BFC. "Brentford sign Ryan Woods from Sky Bet League One Shrewsbury Town on three-year deal on transfer deadline day". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  23. Moore, Tom. "Brentford complete £1million deal for Shrewsbury midfielder". Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  24. "Leeds 1–1 Brentford". BBC Sport. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  25. "Bees replace Dijkhuizen with Carsley". BBC. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  26. "Ryan Woods Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  27. "Reading v Brentford". BBC. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  28. "Milton Keynes Dons 1–4 Brentford". BBC Sport. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  29. FC, Brentford. "Ryan Woods signs new four year deal with Brentford". Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  30. Brett, Ciaran. "Awards picked up at Brentford Player of the Year Dinner". Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  31. "Brentford FC A statement from Ryan Woods". Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  32. "Ryan Woods Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  33. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  34. "Brentford 1–1 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  35. "Ryan Woods voted Supporters' Player of the Year". Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  36. "WELCOME RYAN". Stoke City. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  37. "Debutant Ryan Woods urges Stoke City to iron out flaws before burst of two-game weeks". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  38. "Ryan Woods talks about the brilliant honour to be Stoke City captain - with respect to and from Ryan Shawcross". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  39. "Honest Ryan Woods makes cutting self-appraisal of current form in Stoke City midfield". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  40. "Stoke City Comment on the immediate prospects for Ryan Woods". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  41. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  42. "Surprise name back in Stoke City starting line-up to take on Sheffield United". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  43. "Forgotten man does have potentially big future says Stoke City boss". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  44. "Ryan Woods on the hardest eight months of his career - and new hope at Stoke City". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  45. "I sympathise - Stoke City boss on Millwall bound midfielder". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  46. "Millwall confirm Ryan Woods arrival". Millwall FC. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  47. "Millwall 4–1 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  48. "Ryan Woods signs season-long loan deal". Millwall FC. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  49. "Ryan Woods relishing role reversals at Town". Shropshire Star. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  50. "Jacobson out for three weeks". Shrewsweb. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  51. Shrewsweb. "Match Report Bradford 2 Shrewsbury 1". Shrewsweb. Shrewsweb. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  52. Shrewsweb. "Town 2 Sheffield United 0". Shrewsweb. Shrewsweb. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  53. Fielden, James (2 January 2015). "Top 10: Football League stars of tomorrow – the kids on Premier League radars". Four Four Two. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  54. ShrewsWeb. "Woods looking forward to Walsall". www.shrewsburytown.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  55. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  56. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  57. "Games played by Ryan Woods in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  58. "Six Chelsea players named in PFA's Premier League team of the year". The Guardian. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
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