Full name Vivian Woodward 1935–1936 Folkestone Years Team | Date of birth 25 May 1914 Name Viv Woodward | |
Playing position | ||
Place of birth Troed-y-rhiw, Wales | ||
Vivian "Viv" Woodward was a Welsh professional football inside forward who played in the Football League for Fulham, Aldershot, Millwall and Brentford. He represented Wales in a wartime international match in 1941.
Contents
- Early years
- Fulham
- Millwall
- Brentford
- Aldershot
- Bedford Town
- Biggleswade Town
- International career
- Potton United
- Personal life
- References
Early years
An inside forward, Woodward played for hometown club Troed-y-rhiw as a youth and moved to Southern League side Folkestone in 1935, before departing the following year.
Fulham
Woodard earned a move to the Football League with Division Two side Fulham during the 1935–36 season in a £300 deal. It wasn't until the 1937–38 season that he established himself in the team, making 33 league appearances and scoring 15 goals. By the time competitive football was suspended due to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Woodward had made 85 league appearances and scored 25 goals. He resumed his professional career with Fulham after the war, but managed just 10 league appearances during the 1946–47 season before departing the club in February 1947. Woodward made 95 appearances and scored 26 goals during 11 years at Craven Cottage.
Millwall
Woodward signed for Division Two strugglers Millwall in February 1947. He scored seven goals in 15 league games to help the Lions stave off relegation to the Division Three South. He was in and out of the team during the 1947–48 season, making 27 appearances and scoring six goals. He departed the club at the end of the campaign after Millwall's relegation was confirmed with a bottom-place finish in Division Two. Woodward made 42 appearances and scored 13 goals in just over a year with Millwall.
Brentford
Woodward moved back to West London to sign for Division Two club Brentford in July 1948. He began his time with the Bees as a regular in the team, before being dropped for large part of the 1948–49 season and not returning until the final month of the campaign. He made just 10 appearances and scored one goal. He failed to fare much better in the following season, scoring one goal in 10 games and eventually departing Griffin Park in February 1950.
Aldershot
Woodward signed for Division Three South strugglers Aldershot in February 1950. He quickly established himself in the team, making 16 league appearances before the end of the 1949–50 season. He made 37 appearances during the 1950–51 season (the highest of his career), but failed to inspire the Shots to more than an 18th-place finish. He left the club in May 1951, after making 53 appearances and scoring five goals.
Bedford Town
Woodward dropped into non-league football to sign for Southern League side Bedford Town in 1951. Despite failing to enjoy much success in the league, he was a regular pick for the side and showed good goalscoring form, scoring 62 goals in 149 appearances for the club. He departed in 1954.
Biggleswade Town
Woodward saw out his career with a spell at Eastern Counties League side Biggleswade Town.
International career
Woodward represented Wales at schoolboy level. He represented the senior side in a wartime international on 7 June 1941, scoring in a 3–2 defeat to England at Ninian Park.
Bedford Town
During his time as a player with Bedford Town, Woodward also served as assistant manager.
Potton United
While a player at Bedford Town, Woodward had a coaching spell at South Midlands League side Potton United.
Personal life
One of Woodward's relatives, Laurence (nicknamed 'Dai'), was also a footballer and made over 270 appearances for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.