Darren Wood
Encyclopedia
Darren Wood is an English
former footballer, who played as a full back
in the Football League
between 1981 and 1990 for Middlesbrough
, Chelsea
and Sheffield Wednesday
.
Born in Scarborough, Wood began his career with Middlesbrough
, making 101 league appearances between 1981 and 1984. He became the focal point of a dispute which ended Malcolm Allison
's managerial reign at Middlesbrough: with the club on the verge of liquidation, Allison threatened to resign if Wood were sold to Chelsea for £100,000, declaring that it was "better for the club to die than to linger on". Chairman Mike McCullagh accused Allison of no longer being reliable in trying to save the club and promptly sacked him, installing Jack Charlton
as caretaker manager
. In September 1984, Wood joined Chelsea
for a fee reported as "around £50,000" and the return of former Middlesbrough captain Tony McAndrew
to Ayresome Park
. The Evening Gazette reported that Liverpool
had offered £250,000 for Wood just six months earlier.
Wood eventually played in 178 matches in all competitions for the west London
club. He was sold to Sheffield Wednesday
in 1989, but made only a handful of appearances before retiring due to injury.
After retiring as a player he went into the food supply business.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former footballer, who played as a full back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
between 1981 and 1990 for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
.
Born in Scarborough, Wood began his career with Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, making 101 league appearances between 1981 and 1984. He became the focal point of a dispute which ended Malcolm Allison
Malcolm Allison
Malcolm Alexander Allison was an English football player and manager. Nicknamed "Big Mal", he was one of English football's most flamboyant and intriguing characters because of his panache, fedora and cigar, controversies off the pitch and outspoken nature.Allison's managerial potential become...
's managerial reign at Middlesbrough: with the club on the verge of liquidation, Allison threatened to resign if Wood were sold to Chelsea for £100,000, declaring that it was "better for the club to die than to linger on". Chairman Mike McCullagh accused Allison of no longer being reliable in trying to save the club and promptly sacked him, installing Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
as caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
. In September 1984, Wood joined Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
for a fee reported as "around £50,000" and the return of former Middlesbrough captain Tony McAndrew
Tony McAndrew
Anthony "Tony" McAndrew is a Scottish former footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Darlington and Hartlepool United, and in the North American Soccer League for the Vancouver Whitecaps...
to Ayresome Park
Ayresome Park
-External links:**-References:...
. The Evening Gazette reported that Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
had offered £250,000 for Wood just six months earlier.
Wood eventually played in 178 matches in all competitions for the west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club. He was sold to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in 1989, but made only a handful of appearances before retiring due to injury.
After retiring as a player he went into the food supply business.
External links
- League stats at Neil Brown's site