Quick Facts
Biography
Dan Woodards (18 November 1886 – 1964) was an English footballer who played as a wing half for West Ham United until his retirement from football in 1921.
Playing career
Woodards was born in East Ham, Englandand started his football career playing with local sides in East London. He joined West Ham in 1905 but did not make an appearance for them until 1907 in a game in the Southern League against Brighton. He also played for West Ham in the Second Division after World War I. He finished playing in 1921 having made 197 appearances in all competitions for West Ham, scoring three goals
Later career
Woodards returned to West Ham to work as a groundsman at Upton Park. He was the only person in the ground when, in August 1944, a Luftwaffe V1 landed on the pitch, exploding and causing damage to the playing area. West Ham were forced to play away from Upton Park, winning nine consecutive matches. After hard work by Woodards the pitch was restored and West Ham returned there to play their home games, losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on their return.
Woodards died in 1964.