Alan Woodward's birthday.

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?




He was my hero when I first started to watch United. Remember standing on the terracing that was part of the old cricket ground against Leicester and Woddy scored from a free kick, we were right in line and i've never seen a ball bend so much. Peter Shilton didn't stand a chance. Memories eh? Happy Birthday Woody.
 
SK10Blade said:
He was my hero when I first started to watch United. Remember standing on the terracing that was part of the old cricket ground against Leicester and Woddy scored from a free kick, we were right in line and i've never seen a ball bend so much. Peter Shilton didn't stand a chance. Memories eh? Happy Birthday Woody.
Click to expand...
I was in the BLLT for that match and I do not have a clear memory of the goal but I remember my ex-workmate's description of what had happened in the Kop when Woody was about to take the free kick at the Kop End. My ex-workmate got distracted by an explosion of a firework near him and the next thing he saw was that the ball was in the net with Shilton stranded still rooted to the same spot. It looked like Woody took a quick thinking free kick just after the explosion of the firework which distracted many especially Shilton and there was no photo of the goal (Lane Line Up programme for the next match blamed Woody for being too quick for the photographers)

GOAL - v Leicester (h) 26.12.70. After being fouled by Cross just outside the box, Woodward bent a free kick round the wall of defenders and into the right hand corner, a shot which left Shilton stunned and stranded yards away at the other side of the goal.
 
hello said:
Alan Woodward would have been 70 today.
For all the great moments, superb goals, excellent corners and fantastic runs, well, it is because of him and the early 70s team that I took United as my team. Thanks for the memories . Amazing player.
Click to expand...
The legends of my youth seem to be slipping away & they are not much older than I am, gone but not forgotten
 
It does not matter how many times Woody gets brought up, I never get tired of watching one of the greatest Blades players ever. Those of us that were at School as he was laying down the foundations of his Legendary status, can you remember when picking teams at play times and everyone wanted to be Woody or Currie? I felt sorry for some kids who mentioned other players. I even though they should have dubbed Brian Glovers
"I'll be Bobby Charlton" in to "I'll be Alan Woodward".
 
When I look at that film I wonder if we'll ever reach those heights again? I suppose it's how you choose to gauge where you want to be, Premiership, playing in Europe regularly etc, but when I look at the players that once wore the red and white stripes it's fills me with pride that we, Sheffield United, once had players of such quality, none more so than Woodward. To think that AW and Currie once graced our turf should remind everyone of what we once took for granted. Fabulous images and talent to spare, what heritage that is to call upon - Up The Mighty Blades!!!
 
It's pitiful to see what we have at our disposal today.
Thinking of Woody it is a different world from the ability of our current crop. As for heroes?
In my time they are Woody, TC, Deane, Edwards and Alan Kelly.
Woody is all time favourite due to his speed and his shooting. He was a genuine goalscoring winger.
 
Was it Tony Curries testimonial when Woody came back from the US to play? My memory is not pin sharp today. Anyway, whichever it was, it was the last time I saw him play and he was still good! He was subbed (to make sure everyone had a chance of playing) and whole ground stood and applauded and there were grown men welling up.
 
Grappler said:
Was it Tony Curries testimonial when Woody came back from the US to play? My memory is not pin sharp today. Anyway, whichever it was, it was the last time I saw him play and he was still good! He was subbed (to make sure everyone had a chance of playing) and whole ground stood and applauded and there were grown men welling up.
Click to expand...
Yes, in October 1986, WalthamstowBlade has the video
 



blade too long said:
never seen a better winger or anyone who could strike a ball harder

I always remember v Everton in the cup him receiving a ball back to goal flicking the bal one side of the defender and spinning the other side of him , left him for dead
Click to expand...
The defender was England international Brian Labone who played in the 1970 World Cup
 
People who never saw him play must think
'what was he like?' but videos like the compilation on this thread go some way to address that .
In a similar way I wonder about Doc Pace, Jimmy Dunne, Jimmy Hagan and Harry Johnson .
 
Wherever you are Alan, happy birthday. A real childhood hero of mine.

Still have the signed Marlboro light he gave me at the re-union dinner a few years ago. Top, top player who should have played for England many times.

RIP Woody.
 
Silent Blade said:
Click to expand...

I'm only 33 but watching that was a great insight in to the sort of player he was. If Barcelona had scored some of those goals today the stupid and daft commentators' who commentate on them would be waxing lyrical.

I hope we get to see something very similar some time soon.

RIP Woody and thank you, even if it's just for that video, it was brilliant.

Also, cheers Silent Blade for sharing it, it puts things into perspective.
 
wizadry said:
I'm only 33 but watching that was a great insight in to the sort of player he was. If Barcelona had scored some of those goals today the stupid and daft commentators' who commentate on them would be waxing lyrical.

I hope we get to see something very similar some time soon.

RIP Woody and thank you, even if it's just for that video, it was brilliant.

Also, cheers Silent Blade for sharing it, it puts things into perspective.
Click to expand...
If TC and Woody were around now they'd probably end up at Barca or Real.
 
Here is what a Huddersfield fan posted in Football Nostalgia Facebook group

I was at our home game v the Blades on Boxing Day 1969, which Town won 2-1, in front of our largest home gate of that season- 30,907. I may have taken in the away game earlier in the season, but not sure. The main thing I remember about the 2-1 home win, were the corners pinged in by Alan Woodward (RIP) who took corners as if taking a long range shot at goal. I held my breath before each one.
 



You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

derfblade.3
Wilders first season....
Replies
0
Views
277
derfblade.3
derfblade.3
HodgysBrokenThumb
The Wonder of Wingers
Replies
19
Views
1K
John Street West Terrace
John Street West Terrace
Coolblade
A few observations from the stats (Oxford)
Replies
12
Views
1K
Balham
Balham
Coolblade
A few observations from the stats (Charlton)
Replies
2
Views
681
coolasanidiot
coolasanidiot
Rusty view
Today
Replies
0
Views
563
Rusty view
Rusty view

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom