Gary Woods (born 1 October 1990) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Greenock Morton. He has previously played for Exeter City, Watford, Doncaster Rovers, Leyton Orient, Ross County, Hamilton Academical, Oldham Athletic, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

Club career

Manchester United

Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Woods joined Manchester United from Cambridge United in July 2007 after trials with a host of Premier League sides, including Arsenal. Described by Manchester United's under-18 coach Paul McGuinness as "a strong, brave goalkeeper with a strong personality",

Doncaster Rovers

Woods joined Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer on 26 March 2009, signing a contract which would end at the end of 2009–10 season. He made his professional debut one month later on 25 April 2009, when he replaced Neil Sullivan in the final minute of a 2–0 victory against Crystal Palace. Having started sporadically started in the 2011–12, Woods became first-choice goalkeeper in 2012–13 as Doncaster returned to League One following relegation from the Championship. However, despite playing 49 of 53 games as Doncaster took the League One title, he was released at the end of the season.

Watford

Having trained with the club since the previous month, Woods signed a one-year deal with Championship side Watford on 9 September 2013.

Leyton Orient

After one season with Watford, Woods signed for League One side Leyton Orient on 17 July 2014 on a two-year deal. After 17 league appearances for Orient during the 2014–15 season, he found himself as number two behind Alex Cisak. On 1 September 2015, Woods went on loan with Scottish club Ross County until January 2016. In May 2016, he was released from Leyton Orient when it was announced that he would not be retained when his contract expired.

Ross County

Woods arrived on loan at Ross County from Leyton Orient on 1 September 2015, and made his debut off the bench in a 2–1 loss against rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Dingwall. His first full game was in a 2–0 win against second placed Aberdeen. After an injury for Scott Fox against Dundee United, Woods started in the Scottish League Cup Final against Hibernian on 13 March 2016. Ross County won 2–1 with Woods playing a pivotal role in the game, denying Hibernian player Liam Fontaine an equalising goal in injury time.

Hamilton Academical

Woods signed for Hamilton Academical in July 2016. He made his debut on 15 October 2016, in a 2–2 draw away to Partick Thistle. He left the club in May 2019.

Oldham Athletic

On 25 June 2019, he signed a two-year deal with League Two side Oldham Athletic. On 21 September 2020 Woods, and teammate David Wheater, were removed from the first team and forced to train with the youth team as Oldham had been trying to force them out of their contracts.

Aberdeen

On 5 October 2020, Woods moved to Aberdeen on a short-term loan agreement. On 12 January 2021, it was announced that the loan had been extended until the end of the 2020–21 season. On 7 May 2021, Woods signed a pre-contract agreement to join Aberdeen on a two-year deal in summer 2021. Woods was released from his contract with Aberdeen on 24 June 2022.

Kilmarnock

Woods signed a one-year contract with Kilmarnock on 22 July 2022.

Exeter City

Woods' contract with Kilmarnock was terminated on the 31 January 2023. It was announced on the 1 February 2023 that the goal-stopper had signed for Exeter City until the end of the 2022-23 season. On 11 May 2023 Woods' signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the club for the 2023-24 season.

Greenock Morton

On 8 July 2024, Woods joined Greenock Morton on a two-year deal as a player-coach upon the expiration of his contract with Exeter City.

International career

Having previously played Victory Shield football for England at under-16 level, Woods made his debut for the England under-18 side on 20 November 2007 as a substitute for Alex Smithies during a 2–0 friendly win over Ghana.

Career statistics

Honours

Doncaster Rovers Ross County