Alan Woodward

[Shalalalafenoughty]

Wednesday fan in peace. A fantastic player, and a proper legend of Sheffield football. RIP Woody.

Well said.

If you haven't seen it, BP, there's a thread about John Fantham over on the "other football and sport" section which you'll find of interest. Players like Woody and Fantham don't exist nowadays, more's the pity.

 

[cahill]

November 1967. Highlights of the match was shown on ATV in the next day. I remember some years later my dad was telling me how brilliant Woody was in goal for 81 minutes against Lorimer and Johannesen

Strewth !!!! Was that 1967. I mentioned that game a few weeks ago on this board when the crowd all chanted to the Leeds fans "you bought the wrong one" in regard to them buying Mick Jones and Mick Hill banging in our winner. Woody was awesome that day. I seem to recall him scoring direct from a corner against Newcastle in a League Cup night match. He also did it against Leicester in 1971-72 season after our promotion.

RIP Woody

I always thought he came from Penistone and played for Barnsley Boys

 

[UnitedBlade]

 

[Bert]

If Bert remembers correctly Woody was born at Chapeltown, as was Bert. The Hallamshire Maternity Home.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Yes, it was against Burnley in Oct 1976. Earlier in the 2nd half, Woody received a short free kick from outside the box (on the left side) at the Kop End and delightfully chipped the ball over the defensive wall and keeper Gerry Peyton hitting the inside of the post and in for the only goal of the game. In the dying minutes Woody was holding the ball up on the left wing before he unexpectedly ran all the way towards our goal and pass the ball to Jim Brown to "waste time". Most of the fans (my dad too) were laughing their heads off but I was one of the few who thought we should have been looking to score a second goal rather than "waste time" like this

Thanks for that. Memory serves me well.

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

I haven't seen anyone mention it but Woody remains the only professional footballer I've ever seen who played in rugby boots for a considerable chunk of his career.

I think he liked the protection it gave his ankles and who can blame him when the likes of Ron Harris, Peter Storey and Tommy Smith were his contemporaries?

 

[metalblade]

Maybe some of us older supporters are over critical of today's players but we were brought up watching fantastic players in the red and white stripes but only the great TC comes close to Woody, 3rd top goal scorer for the club from a winger too ..................... that says it all.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Maybe some of us older supporters are over critical of today's players but we were brought up watching fantastic players in the red and white stripes but only the great TC comes close to Woody, 3rd top goal scorer for the club from a winger too ..................... that says it all.

Agree with your point but only Harry Johnson junior scored more for United, so he's second highest goal scorer and highest post-war goal scorer.

 

[Lane Ender]

Yes, Woody came back for TC's testimonial in Oct 1986 and I think he scored two goals. Woody's testimonial was against Wendy in May 1974

I think it was on a Friday night or that could have been a County Cup against Wendy he really took the piss anyway the pigs were really a joke in 74

 

[BladeFisher]

I haven't seen anyone mention it but Woody remains the only professional footballer I've ever seen who played in rugby boots for a considerable chunk of his career.

I think he liked the protection it gave his ankles and who can blame him when the likes of Ron Harris, Peter Storey and Tommy Smith were his contemporaries?

Now that is a really interesting fact. Any pictures of that?

 

[Longtime Blade]

I'll never forget Woody's goal in the game against Liverpool in September 1974. United had been under the cosh for about 75 minutes but had kept the score at 0-0. Currie emerged from the left-hand side of our penalty area at the Lane End and with his left foot sent a long curving pass which landed just over the half-way line and in front of Woody. The Liverpool defence, as often in those days, was too square and Woody was away. When he got to the area he let fly and the ball was in the net before Clemence could move.

In the video that Russ posted on "page 1" Woody says that he remembers his goal against Liverpool. I wonder if that memory is of the goal described above.

 

[Barney]

great player and so loyal to the blades throughout his career. RIP Woody

 

[Lane Ender]

great player and so loyal to the blades throughout his career. RIP Woody

I remember it well

 

[United Aren't Back.]

I'll never forget Woody's goal in the game against Liverpool in September 1974. United had been under the cosh for about 75 minutes but had kept the score at 0-0. Currie emerged from the left-hand side of our penalty area at the Lane End and with his left foot sent a long curving pass which landed just over the half-way line and in front of Woody. The Liverpool defence, as often in those days, was too square and Woody was away. When he got to the area he let fly and the ball was in the net before Clemence could move.

In the video that Russ posted on "page 1" Woody says that he remembers his goal against Liverpool. I wonder if that memory is of the goal described above.

I thought that goal was at the lane end?? Mum and I were stood, in a picture in a future programme., among Scousers on lane end and yet still dared to celebrate. Woody veered right, and steered it beyond Clemence. Anyone?

 

[sitwell]

That's my first and second favourite Blades gone . Will wear my S24su Woody shirt even more now.

 

[Silent Blade]

I haven't seen anyone mention it but Woody remains the only professional footballer I've ever seen who played in rugby boots for a considerable chunk of his career.

I think he liked the protection it gave his ankles and who can blame him when the likes of Ron Harris, Peter Storey and Tommy Smith were his contemporaries?

Interesting, didnt know that

Woody could have signed for Wendy but he wasnt impressed with Vic Buckingham (Wendy manager at the time) when he met him for talks and liked John Harris when he spoke to him. Woody then signed for us in 1962

 

[Silent Blade]

I thought that goal was at the lane end?? Mum and I were stood, in a picture in a future programme., among Scousers on lane end and yet still dared to celebrate. Woody veered right, and steered it beyond Clemence. Anyone?

Kop End. See 3.35 in the below video. I was at my boarding school that day but I was home for the weekend a week earlier to see us lose 5-1 at L**ds. I wish the weekends were swapped!

 

[Silent Blade]

Photos

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk...effield-united-legend-alan-woodward-1-7274577

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

Now that is a really interesting fact. Any pictures of that?

From memory I would say it was over about three seasons in the early seventies. Me and my mates who I used to go to matches with often commented on it. We assumed they were rugby boots because they definitely had ankle protection on them. I'm not sure if he wore them on the drier pitches at the start and finish of the season but he certainly wore them on the muddy pitches mid-season.

 

[Woodwaaard]

From memory I would say it was over about three seasons in the early seventies. Me and my mates who I used to go to matches with often commented on it. We assumed they were rugby boots because they definitely had ankle protection on them. I'm not sure if he wore them on the drier pitches at the start and finish of the season but he certainly wore them on the muddy pitches mid-season.

Have a look at post #37; the picture that Walthamstow posted of Woody & Kendall. The boots appear to have a straight cut over the ankle, unlike the "football" boots of the time that were cut-away in this area

 

[The Vicar]

odwaaard, post: 765209, member: 2109"]Have a look at post #37; the picture that Walthamstow posted of Woody & Kendall. The boots appear to have a straight cut over the ankle, unlike the "football" boots of the time that were cut-away in this area[/QUOTE]
I remember him playing against Ipswich when we won 7~0, what a game, what a player. May he RIP and rise in glory!

 

[wardlowwanderer]

RIP Alan. You are the greatest player I have ever seen in the red and white.
A gentleman. A legend. A hero.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends, and all fellow Blades.

 

[SK10Blade]

Eleven pages on this forum in just over 24 hours, does that show how much Woody was revered by all at the lane. To me he will always be the number one.

 

[boo radley]

That's my first and second favourite Blades gone . Will wear my S24su Woody shirt even more now.

As said earlier worn mine today. Will ware it tomorrow and till it becomes smelly. Then once washed it will be worn again.

 

[Bladesince59]

What sad news. He was one the few who were truly great. RIP

 

[covblade]

LEGEND, RIP WOODY

 

[Captain]

Deeply saddened by the news of Woody.He was my dads favourite player back in the early 70s and quickly became one of my heroes.
RIP Blades Legend!

 

[Silent Blade]

Sad, sad news to hear the passing of a true legend.

I'm so very glad he nipped home for the first time in a long time last year, got to see the place and some old mates.

I was lucky enough to have spent time in his presence a number of times while he was across, cracking dry sense of humour and a lovely bloke with it. I'm not the kind to be in awe of footballers, but despite the fact I'm too young to have been lucky enough to see his Blades career first hand, I felt absolutely privileged to be in the presence of a hero.

​

Foxy , is the man (with the light purple top) between Eddie and Ted one of the 1971 promotion team? Been trying to work him out for last few days!

 

[Bladeloyal]

Just to confirm me and the badger raised a glass last night to Alan ,emotional

 

[essex blade]