Martin Paul Woods (born 1 January 1986) is a Scottish footballer and coach who plays as a midfielder.

Woods career started at Leeds United and during his time there had a spell on loan at Hartlepool United. He then moved on to Sunderland, Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers, and also spent time on loan at Yeovil Town. Following a short spell at Barnsley, Woods signed for Ross County in October 2014. He had two spells with County, interrupted by a year at Shrewsbury Town. Woods signed for Partick Thistle in October 2017, then joined Dundee in November 2018. After a brief hiatus, Woods played with Halifax Town for two seasons. He then played for Brackley Town for a season before joining Boston United where he had two eventful season, winning a promotion play-off and serving as the club's interim manager before abruptly departing. After Boston, Woods had spells with Worksop Town and King's Lynn Town.

Football career

Leeds United Woods started his career at the Leeds United academy, where he was capped by Scotland Youth. He made just one substitute appearance for the first team. In September 2004, he went on loan to Hartlepool United, making his professional debut in a 3–2 defeat away at Oldham Athletic on 11 September 2004. In October 2004, his loan was extended for a second month.

Sunderland At the end of his Leeds contract, Woods turned down a new deal, in favour of joining Sunderland. He made seven appearances in the Premier League, but this included only one start. In May 2006, Woods was released by Sunderland.

Rotherham United After leaving Sunderland, Woods signed for Rotherham United in League One. He scored his first senior goal, described as "spectacular" by BBC Sport, in a 3–2 defeat against Doncaster Rovers on 27 January 2007.

Doncaster Rovers On 5 June 2007, Woods transferred to Doncaster Rovers, agreeing a four-year contract. He signed another long-term contract extension in September 2010.

Following his release in the summer of 2013, he had a final brief spell at the club on non-contract terms, before opting to join Barnsley.

Barnsley Woods signed for Barnsley on a short-term deal at the end of the January 2014 transfer window.

Ross County Woods signed for Scottish Premiership club Ross County in October 2014, agreeing a contract until the end of January 2015. He made his debut on 25 October 2014, as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against St Mirren. On 7 January 2015, Woods extended his contract until the end of the season.

Shrewsbury Town At the end of the Scottish Premiership season, Woods joined newly promoted League One side Shrewsbury Town in May 2015.

Ross County (second spell) On 31 August 2015, having asked to be released from his contract with Shrewsbury, Woods returned to Ross County, signing a two-year contract with the option of a third. This option was not exercised, and he left Ross County in the summer of 2017.

Partick Thistle Woods signed for Partick Thistle in October 2017, on a contract to the end of the 2017–18 season. Thistle were relegated via the playoffs at the end of the season. Following that relegation, Woods was one of many players released by Thistle.

Dundee Woods signed a short-term contract with Dundee in November 2018. He was released by the club at the end of the season.

Halifax Town After a full season out, Woods signed with National League side FC Halifax Town. After two seasons with the club, Woods would leave Halifax in June 2022.

Brackley Town On 7 October 2022, Woods signed for National League North club Brackley Town. He would leave the club at the end of the season after they reached the play-off final, and also assisting caretaker manager Gareth Dean.

Boston United On 19 May 2023, Woods joined National League North side Boston United for the upcoming season. Woods was a regular starter for the Pilgrims in their successful campaign which ended with earning promotion to the National League through a surprise run through the National League North play-offs. On 27 May 2024, Woods signed a contract extension to keep him with the club for the following season.

Interim manager On 31 October 2024, Woods was appointed as the interim manager of Boston United following the departure of previous manager Ian Culverhouse. Woods remained in the role until 19 November when Graham Coughlan was hired as first team manager, having drawn once and lost once as interim manager. Woods made his return as a player on 30 November following an injury, coming on as a substitute in a goalless draw against Ebbsfleet United. On 23 March 2025, following a disagreement with manager Coughlan, Woods announced via social media that he had left the Pilgrims.

Worksop Town On 31 July 2025, Woods joined newly-promoted National League North club Worksop Town on a permanent deal.

King's Lynn Town On 24 February 2026, Woods joined fellow National League North club King's Lynn Town.

International career Woods was capped by Scotland at schoolboy, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLeeds United2004–05Championship1000000010Hartlepool United (loan)2004–05League One6000101Appearances in Football League Trophy080Sunderland2005–06Premier League7000100080Rotherham United2006–07League One364002010394Doncaster Rovers2007–08League One1402020212012008–09Championship4124010004622009–10Championship2450021002662010–11Championship1510000001512011–12Championship40100000502012–13League One1501120101912013–14Championship4010000050Total117891713113611Yeovil Town (loan)2007–08League One3000000030Barnsley2013–14Championship8000000080Ross County2014–15Scottish Premiership272100000282Shrewsbury Town2015–16League One4000100050Ross County2015–16Scottish Premiership2612031003122016–17Scottish Premiership291204000351Total552407100663Partick Thistle2017–18Scottish Premiership18010002Appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs0210Dundee2018–19Scottish Premiership242100000252FC Halifax Town2020–21National League36410002Appearances in FA Trophy03942021–22National League332200040392Total696300060786Brackley Town2022–23National League North264000000264Boston United2023–24National League North3222100403832024–25National League180000010190Total502210050573Worksop Town2025–26National League North150100000160King's Lynn Town2025–26National League North100000000100Career total4763022219217153535

Honours Ross County Scottish League Cup: 2015–16

Boston United National League North play-offs: 2024

References

External links