Woody ,s highs and lows

At BARNABY ROSTANT looks back the career of the often injury-plagued centre-back Jonathan Woodgate…

JONATHAN Woodgate had a successful and eventful career - when not in the treatment room.Who knows what he could have done if injuries hadn’t hit him so hard, but he still achieved more than most.

He started playing football at two local teams in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, where he grew up. First, at Nunthorpe Athletic and he then moved onto Marton.

At Marton he got scouted by Boro. He joined the academy in 1993, aged 13, and worked his way up through the youth system until he joined (at the time) high-flying Leeds United’s academy in 1996.

There, he won the FA Youth Cup in 1997. Like the youth team, the first team were also flying high.When he made his first senior appearance for the club in October 1998, aged 18, he was playing with top players like Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink (who after spells with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea would play with Woodgate again at Middlesbrough) and Alan Smith, who was later to sign for Manchester United.

Woodgate was competing for a place in the starting eleven against the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Lucas Radebe.

His impresssive start as a senior player made people believe he was the one of the best allround players to come out of the Leeds academy.

Woodgate was regularly competing at the top in the Champions League, UEFA Cup and Premier League.

Unfortunately, time in the treatment room reduced his time on the pitch and in 2003 he was sold to Newcastle for £9million. This upset the Leeds fans and Terry Venables (the Leeds manager at the time).

At Newcastle, he played one of his greatestever games for the Toon Army in the UEFA Cup. It was against Marseille when he kept star striker Didier Drogba at bay. That season he made 28 appearances for Newcastle, though he missed the end of the campaign through injury.

Then, to the surprise of many in the foot-

Woodgate quickly became a fan favourite, putting in solid tackles and making vital clearances. Indeed, when he scored a header in extra-time in the League Cup final against Chelsea in 2008, which won them their first trophy since 1999, he became an even bigger hero at the Lane.

He was soon made vice-captain by manager Harry Redknapp. But just as he was becoming a regular in the team, a long-term groin injury sidelined him for 14 months, and he travelled to Australia to have surgery.

He was released in June 2011 after making 49 appearances in a three-year spell and scoring two goals (both against Chelsea).

Aged 32,Woodgate was still playing in the best league in the world, this time with Stoke City. Tony Pulis gave him a role in the team but as right-back. For a player who lacked some pace, it wasn’t a great tactical move (I think even Tony would agree!).

Then, to the surprise of Stoke fans, he was offered a new contract but turned it down to return for the last time to Middlesbrough.

Woodgate finished his career where he started, back at his hometown club. In his third spell, he made 57 appearances between 2012 and 2016.

When Middlesbrough sealed promotion back to the Premier League after a 1-1 draw against Brighton on the last day of the 2015-16 season, the 36-year-old announced his retirement as his contract with Boro ran out.

It marked the end of an 18-year career. Though plagued with injuries throughout his career, he was a top player and deserved his eight England caps (and, in my opinion, should definitely have had many more).

Currently,Woodgate is a scout for Liverpool, based largely in Spain and Portugal. So, he is still involved in the game he undoubtedly loves, even if it didn’t always treat him kindly where injuries were concerned.

Jonathan Simon Woodgate, one to remember!