Richard Wood (footballer)

Football player infobox| playername= Richard Wood


fullname = Richard Mark Wood
nickname = Woody
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|7|5|df=y
cityofbirth = Ossett
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=3
currentclub = Sheffield Wednesday
position = Defender
years = 2003-
clubs = Sheffield Wednesday
caps(goals) = 119 (5)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 20:14, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Richard Mark Wood (born 5 July 1985, Ossett) is an English footballer currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

The Yorkshire born defender came up through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday. He broke into the senior side at the end of the 2002–03 season and capped his superb performance with a goal on his full debut against Burnley. The young Wood made such an impression that he was handed a two year deal before he completed the second year of his Academy scholarship.

He formed an impressive partnership with Graham Coughlan in the centre of defence and has put in a series of strong displays.

Wood staked his claim for a regular spot as he missed just one of the final 28 games as Wednesday clinched promotion to the Championship the previous season.

He enjoyed a lengthy run in the 2005–06 season before an untimely injury cut short his season, which also deprived him of making an appearance for the Football League Select XI against an Italian Serie B representative side. To cap of this tremendous season, he was rewarded by receiving the Rhodes Fairbanks Young player of the year award [ [http://sheffieldwednesday.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=894&p=2&stid=8409532] ] by fans of the club. He has been tipped to win honours for the England Under 21 team.

On the 3 March 2007 Richard Wood returned from his injury to make his first start for Sheffield Wednesday in 11 months. In the important 3–2 league win against Yorkshire rivals Leeds United at Elland Road. He would go on to start in the rest of Wednesday's eleven games that season and helped them to finish the season with just one loss from 13 games - a run which almost saw the side finish in The Championship Play-Offs.

Prior to the 2008-09 season Wood was named joint captain of Sheffield Wednesday alongside Steve Watson, although shortly after the season began Wood handed in a transfer request following interest from Championship rivals Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and Coventry City. The request was declined.

References

* [http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10304~23316,00.html Richard Wood player profile] at swfc.co.uk
*soccerbase|id=34895|name=Richard Wood
*ESPNsoccernet|id=32074|name=Richard Wood