Ben Woods (footballer)

Ben Woods

Woods in January 2025
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Jack Woods
Date of birth	(2002-09-27) 27 September 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth	Wigan, England
Position(s)	Central Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Accrington Stanley
Number	8
Youth career
2011–2018	Manchester United
2018–2022	Burnley
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022-2023	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	7	(0)
2023–	Accrington Stanley	58	(6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:27, 12 February 2025 (UTC)

Ben Woods (born 27 September 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Accrington Stanley.

Career

Born in Wigan, Woods started his career at the Manchester United Academy, where he received a received an England under-15's call up, before he signed for Burnley in 2018, signing his first professional contract the club. He stayed for four years before turning down a contract extension before the start of the 2022/23 season. ^{[1] [2]}

On 13 January 2023, Woods signed a short term deal with Scottish Championship side, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, ^{[3] [4]} making his professional debut, coming on in the 71st minute of a 0–0 home draw to Queen's Park. ^[5] Woods made seven appearances for the club. He was on the bench in the Scottish Cup Final 3–1 defeat to Celtic at Hampden Park. ^[6]

On 1 September 2023, Woods signed for Accrington Stanley on a one-year contract. ^{[7] [2]}

On 30 April 2024, Woods signed a further 2-year deal at Accrington Stanley. On 29 December 2024, he made his 50th Accrington Stanley League appearance in a 2–1 away defeat to Carlisle United.

On 1 January 2025, Woods scored his first professional brace in a 3–2 victory over promotion-chasing Grimsby Town. ^[8]

On 31 January 2025, Woods signed a 2.5 year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until the Summer of 2027 ^[9]

Career statistics

As of 12 February 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Inverness Caledonian Thistle	2022–23 [6]	Scottish Championship	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Accrington Stanley	2023–24 [10]	EFL League Two	34	2	2	0	0	0	4	0	40	2
	2024-25	EFL League Two	24	4	2	0	1	0	2	0	29	4
Career total			65	6	4	0	1	0	6	0	76	6

Honours

Inverness CT

• Scottish Cup runner-up: 2022–23

References

1. "Burnley confirm Ben Mee and James Tarkowski among players leaving Turf Moor". Lancashire Telegraph. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
2. "Ben Woods is raring to go after completing Stanley switch". Lancashire Telegraph. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
3. Cryle, Ryan (13 January 2023). "Caley Thistle sign midfielder Ben Woods on deal until end of season". Press and Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
4. "Inverness Caledonian Thistle sign former Manchester United academy player". Inverness Courier. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
5. "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0-0 Queen's Park: Leaders held but stay four points clear". BBC Sport. 14 January 2023.
6. "Games played by Ben Woods in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
7. "Ben Woods: Accrington Stanley sign midfielder on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
8. "Accrington Stanley 3-2 Grimsby Town: Woods scores twice in comeback win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
9. www.accringtonstanley.co.uk https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2025/january/31/new-contract-ben-signs-an-improved-two-and-a-half-year-deal/ . Retrieved 3 February 2025.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
10. "Games played by Ben Woods in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 September 2023.