Martin Wood (rugby league)

Martin Wood (born 24 June 1970) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s who played as a stand-off or loose forward for Halifax, Scarborough Pirates, Keighley Cougars, Sheffield Eagles and Workington Town.

Martin Wood
Personal information
Full nameMartin Wood
Born (1970-06-24) 24 June 1970 (age 54)
Playing information
PositionStand-off, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1988–91 Halifax
1991–92 Scarborough Pirates
1992–96 Keighley Cougars
1997–98 Sheffield Eagles 47 6 18 2 62
1999–01 Keighley Cougars 68 31 275 1 675
2002 Workington Town 25 8 1 0 34
2002 Hull Kingston Rovers 6 0 0 0 0
Total 146 45 294 3 771
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2002 Workington Town 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Career

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Wood started his career at Halifax, helping the club achieve promotion from the Second Division in 1990–91. He was deemed surplus to requirements during the following season, and was sold to Scarborough Pirates in October 1991.[3] Wood then joined Keighley Cougars in 1992.[4]

In January 1997, Wood and his team-mate Nick Pinkney were signed by Super League side Sheffield Eagles in exchange for £95,000 plus Mark Gamson.[5] He spent two seasons at Sheffield. Wood appeared as a substitute in Sheffield Eagles' 17–8 victory over Wigan in the 1998 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1998.

He returned to Keighley in 1999.[4] During his second spell at the club, he was named the Northern Ford Premiership Player of the Year in 2000,[6] and reached a career total of 1,000 points in January 2001.[7] He finished his professional career with Workington Town in 2002.[8] He continued playing and coaching rugby at amateur level, helping Sharlston Rovers achieve a shock win against Dewsbury Rams in the third round of the 2004 Challenge Cup.[9]

In 2011, Wood was inducted into Keighley's Hall of Fame.[4]

References

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  1. ^ rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. ^ "Player Summary: Martin Wood". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Sale of Martin was controversial". Halifax Courier. 6 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Cougars legend enters Hall of Fame". Keighley News. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  5. ^ Hadfield, Dave (21 January 1997). "Rugby League: Larder looks to former club". The Independent. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  6. ^ Hadfield, Dave (26 July 2000). "Wood wins new award but age bars way to Halifax". The Independent. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  7. ^ Fisher, Michael (31 January 2001). "Keighley go three points clear at top". Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  8. ^ Wilson, Andy (18 February 2002). "Hull ride luck to hold out". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Rovers produce magic to fell Rams". Yorkshire Post. 6 February 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
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