Christopher John Westwood (born 13 February 1977) is an English former professional footballer.
Career
Wolverhampton Wanderers Westwood began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers as a youth trainee, making his league debut for Wolves in September 1997. He scored once for the club against Portsmouth in December 1997. He was released by Wolves at the end of the 1997–98 season having made four league appearances for the club.
Reading Westwood moved to Reading in 1998 but first team chances at both clubs were limited and in his one season with the Berkshire club he did not make a senior league appearance.
Hartlepool United On 24 March 1999, Westwood signed for Third Division side Hartlepool United from Telford United on a free transfer. Hartlepool's manager Chris Turner had previously coached Westwood whilst at Wolves. He made only four appearances for the club during the 1998–99 season before managing to establish himself as an essential member of the squad in the coming seasons. During the 1999–2000 season, he formed a strong partnership with fellow centre-back Graeme Lee, making 33 league appearances as Hartlepool reached the play-offs. For the five following seasons, Westwood missed only 21 league matches as Hartlepool earned a promotion to the Second Division in 2002–03 and reached the play-offs on two further occasions. His performances during Hartlepool's 2002–03 campaign earned him an inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year for the Third Division. His final game for the club came in the 2005 League One play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday. With Hartlepool leading 2–1 late into the match, Westwood conceded a penalty and subsequently received a red card for the foul. Hartlepool would go on to lose the match 4–2 after extra time. Over the course of seven seasons at Victoria Park, Westwood made 294 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals.
Walsall He rejected a new deal at Hartlepool at the end of the 2004–05 season due to family reasons; returning to the West Midlands with Walsall on 1 July 2005. Westwood helped Walsall to promotion in the 2006–07 season; winning the League Two title by one point ahead of former club Hartlepool. His performances earned him an inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year for a second time..
Peterborough United Westwood was signed by Peterborough United from Walsall on a three-year deal on 14 May 2007, and aided in the team's back-to-back promotions to League One and the Championship.
Cheltenham Town (loan) On 6 January 2009, Westwood moved on an initial one-month loan to Cheltenham Town, which was later extended for a further month. Following Peterborough's promotion to the Championship, Westwood was placed on the transfer list.
Wycombe Wanderers On 9 July 2009, Westwood signed a two-year contract with League One side Wycombe Wanderers after his contract with Peterborough was cancelled.
Wrexham Westwood left Wycombe in June 2011 after rejecting their offer of a new contract and signed for Wrexham on a two-year deal. Westwood scored his first goal for Wrexham in a 2–2 draw against Grimsby Town. In March 2013 Westwood made his first appearance at Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy Final which he won with Wrexham, beating Grimsby Town on penalties after the match ended 1–1, Westwood successfully converted a penalty in the shoot out. On 21 April Westwood was awarded the Wrexham player of the year award for the 2012–13 season.
On 13 May 2013, it was confirmed that Westwood would not be offered a new contract for the 2013–14 season.
Alfreton Town Westwood join fellow Conference National side Alfreton Town on 5 July 2013, signing a one-year contract. He made his debut on the opening day of the season in a 1–0 defeat away to Dartford.
Hednesford Town
Westwood joined Hednesford Town in September 2014, making his debut against Stockport County FC on 6 September.
Halesowen Town Westwood joined Evo Slik Northern Premier League side Halesowen Town in August 2015.
Personal life
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWolverhampton Wanderers1997–98Division One4100200061Hartlepool United1998–99Division Three50000000501999–2000Division Three3701000504302000–01Division Three4611020505412001–02Division Three3511010203912002–03Division Three4612010004912003–04Division Two4503020305302004–05League One374622050506Total2517142802002939Walsall2005–06League One2932010203432006–07League Two402002000422Total695203020765Peterborough United2007–08League Two3702020204302008–09League One160101000180Total530303020610Cheltenham Town (loan)2008–09League One9200000092Wycombe Wanderers2009–10League One2821010103122010–11League Two271300010311Total553401020623Wrexham2011–12Conference Premier1411000101612012–13Conference Premier361200051432Total502300061593Alfreton Town2013–14Conference Premier262200010292Hednesford Town2014–15Conference North181000000181Career total5352328217033161326
Honours Hartlepool United Football League Third Division second-place promotion: 2002–03
Walsall Football League Two: 2006–07
Peterborough United Football League One second-place promotion: 2008–09 Football League Two second-place promotion: 2007–08
Wrexham FA Trophy: 2012–13
Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2002–03 Third Division, 2006–07 League Two Wrexham Player of the Year: 2012–13
References
External links Chris Westwood profile at Alfreton Town F.C.