Richard Wood (footballer)

English footballer (born 1985)

He formed an impressive partnership with Graham Coughlan in the centre of defence and has put in a series of strong displays. Wood staked his claim for a regular spot as he missed just one of the final 28 games as Wednesday clinched promotion to the Championship the previous season. He enjoyed a lengthy run in the 2005–06 season before an untimely injury cut short his season, which also deprived him of making an appearance for the Football League Select XI against an Italian Serie B representative side. To cap of this tremendous season, he was rewarded by receiving the Rhodes Fairbanks Young player of the year award by fans of the club. On 3 March 2007, Wood returned from his injury to make his first start for Wednesday in 11 months in a 3–2 league win against Yorkshire rivals Leeds United at Elland Road. He would go on to start in the rest of Wednesday's 11 games that season and helped them to finish the season with just one loss from 13 games – a run which almost saw the side finish in the Championship play offs. Prior to the 2008–09 season Wood was named joint captain alongside Steve Watson, although shortly after the season began Wood handed in a transfer request. The request was declined. In the 2009–10 campaign, after a successful start for Wood, scoring two goals in two matches, he declined a new contract with Wednesday, and he was transfer listed on 29 October 2009.

On 18 November 2009, Wood signed for Coventry City on loan until January 2010, when he was then expected to sign a permanent deal. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Crystal Palace on 21 November 2009. He then got his first goal for the Sky Blues the following game with the equaliser against Derby County. On 6 December Wood even captained Coventry in a 1–0 loss to Scunthorpe United. After four starts and one substitute appearance, Wood made the move permanent signing on a contract till 2013 on 1 January 2010. On 27 March 2010, Wood scored the equaliser for Coventry in a match against his former club, Sheffield Wednesday. He was also named as captain in this game which finished 1–1.

On 18 July 2013, Wood signed a one year deal with Charlton Athletic.

On 26 June 2014, Wood signed with Rotherham United. On 20 February 2015, Wood signed a one month loan deal with Crawley Town. On 23 September 2015, Wood signed a one month loan deal with Fleetwood Town. On 26 October 2015, he signed for Chesterfield on a three month loan deal. Wood scored his first goal after his return to Rotherham in a 3–1 defeat to Preston North End on 5 November 2016. Following the departure of Paul Warne as Rotherham United's manager in September 2022, Wood was installed as caretaker manager along with Lee Peltier as the club searched for a permanent option. The duo of Wood and Peltier oversaw one game as co caretakers, a 2–0 home loss to Wigan Athletic, before the appointment of Matt Taylor from Exeter City. After the final game of the 2022–23 season, manager Matt Taylor confirmed in a post match interview that Wood would not be offered a new contract with the club and would be released.

On 23 May 2023, Wood signed a one year contract with Doncaster Rovers.

While playing for Sheffield Wednesday, Wood received a call up from the England national under 21 football team however injury prevented him from meeting up with the squad.

His younger brother, Nick Wood, played in the Sheffield Wednesday academy until the end of the 2009–10 season. He subsequently played a few games for Tranmere Rovers and Mansfield Town.