Paul Wood Testimonial

Testimonial Launch dinner

Written by admin on March 20, 2010 – 2:13 am -

First of all I must say a great big thank you to everyone who attended and supported my Testimonial Launch Dinner at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Wednesday 3rd March. It was a great night and the speakers Terry O’Connor and Barrie McDermott were very entertaining – even if Barrie’s tale of my snoring isn’t true ha-ha. Comedian Dom Thomas topped the evening off with some first rate comedy – although, as usual, I can’t remember any of the jokes!

The event auction included rugby league, football and boxing memorabilia including signed pictures from Mike Tyson and Mohammed Ali. The night raised a lot of money for my testimonial and I’m truly humbled at the support I have received so far. I wanted to make sure the night was good value and from the feedback my committee has had it seems a good night was had by all.

My next event is my Ladies Night on Saturday 20th March at Richmonds Club in Latchford. This event has sold out and once again a big thank you to all the fans that have bought up tickets so quickly. It promises to be a great night for the ladies!!! 

Take care,

Woody

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Q & A with Woody – 8th March 2010

Written by admin on March 8, 2010 – 9:58 pm -

An impromptu question and answers with Woody over facebook just to give you a little more information about how the testimonial is going and a little delve into the behind the scenes of Warringtons rise to joint top of Superleage after 5 rounds.

Q: So Woody, testimonial season launched last week with a gala dinner how did it go?

A: Yes everything went really well! I was nervous at first but as the guest started to arrive I slowly relaxed and began to enjoy the night. Guest speakers Barrie McDerromtt and Terry O’Connor were outstanding and to top that off we had local comedian Dom Thomas and he capped off a great night, the room was in laughter the whole time which is a good sign.

Q: Your testimonial game before that aginst Wigan, what did the lads have to say to you before / after the game?

A: All the lads were very supportive and they wished me well, it was an honour to lead Warrington out for the first time in 10 years. Tony Smith was really supportive and he thinks its a massive achievement to serve one club for 10 years and he said I should be very proud which I am. I want to start and end my career at Warrington and hopefully that will be the case.

Q: You have another 10 months or so of your testimonial season so what else can the wolves fans look forward to?

A: Well the next event is 20th March and that is a ladies night but unfortunately that as sold out. There will be another ladies night held at the Halliwell Jones in the summer but we are yet to confirm dates so keep your eyes peeled and buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment. We will be having a fans forum in April and hopefully we can get some special players and coaches to come along and you can pick there brains and ask them what ever you like! with in reason. Golf days will also be coming up once the weather as picked up and we are looking for a coarse at the moment to play at. I will be holding a Testimonial rugby tournament for the kids and that will take place in May, I think is right we have something for the younger fans and this will be a great way to bring the rugby community together. At the moment the events calender is roughly planned out so we know where we are heading but we don’t want to rush anything because we want to make the events special.

Q: Moving onto the current season, there seems to be a different mind set amongst the squad, can you put your finger on what the difference is?

A: I think we are playing with confidence! thats it. I think Tony as developed some of the core skills we need to and that as rubbed off on to the pitch. We are getting the basics right and working hard and when ever you do that you have a good chance of winning games. Winning breeds confidence and with confidence you feel you can beat any team, we just need to keep our feet on the group and keep doing what are doing but get better at it.

Q: we have lost one game by 2 points against Wigan so far this season, what was the mood like in the sheds after the game.

A: It was very down as you would expect but we dusted are selfs off pretty quickly and looked towards to next game. We love playing Wigan because its a local derby and getting beat by them is hard to take but we are over that now and hopefully we can get the 2 points back from them as the season goes on.

A few questions from the fans to finish

Q: how many coaches has woody seen at warrington whilst playin at the wire ? – Phil Rice from Crosfields ARLFC

A: Paul Darbyshire, DVDV, Steve Anderson, David Plange, Paul Cullen, Jimmy Lowes and Tony Smith. I think I owe a lot to Paul Darbyshire and Paul Cullen! without them two I wouldn’t have had the mentality to make it as a rugby league player, they made me in to a man and made me grow up quickly.

Q:  Being a Wigan lad, does he ever wish his testimonial would have been with his home town club? – Amy Newens

A: No not at all, I have loved every minute of my time at Warrington and now a lot of fans think i am a warringtonian…… even some Wigan fans! I love it at Warrington and hopefully I can serve the club for some time yet.

Q: If Paul hadn’t made it as a Rugby League player what would he have done for a living instead – Angela Arnison

A: I was an engineer when I first finished school but I had to pack that in 12 months into the apprenticeship to go full time at Warrington. I think I would of probably left that job anyway and become an electrician because I have always found that interesting and I have done an electricians coarse with Martin Crompton who also played for warrington and I really enjoyed it, so to answer your question probably an electrician.

Q: When Paul finally hangs up his boots, what will he do? – Dawn Lister

A: Oh not sure yet! I have done my electricians coarse and I have also done a plumbing coarse so thats a possibility. I have started coaching the under 16’s at Warrington so who knows maybe a coaching career? I will have to decide when that time comes but hopefully I have a few more years in me yet.

Paul will be doing these interviews quite regularly so keep an eye out on the forums and facebook for more opportunities to put your question to him.

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4600 Pay Tribute To Paul Wood

Written by admin on January 28, 2010 – 1:24 am -

Warrington Wolves 12 Wigan Warriors 20

Attendance: 4622

More than 4,600 fans paid tribute to 10 years’ loyal service to Warrington Wolves by Paul Wood at The Halliwell Jones last night. They were rewarded with a typically hard fought derby tussle between two near-full strength sides who are tipped for honours in the coming season.

Captain for the night Paul was, appropriately, named man of the match thanks to two solid stints in midfield.

There were stirring performances all round but especially from Ben Westwood up front, Matt King out on the left and Richie Mathers who was as safe as houses at full back

Both teams were understandably a little rusty while the raw evening didn’t help ball handling and it was Wigan’s greater fluency that enabled them to run out winners 20-12.

Warrington gave Chris Riley, Chris Bridge and Vinnie Anderson their first outings since last season but were without Chris Hicks and Jon Clarke, both recovering from surgery.

Wigan gave Paul Deacon his debut following his surprise capture from Bradford but lacked the services of Michael McIlorum and Phil Bailey.

Within three minutes of the start Wigan fumbled a kick through by Lee Briers and then conceded a penalty.

From the restart Adrian Morley crashed over near the posts and Briers added the goal points.

Sterling work in defence by Wolves was almost turned into another certain score. Michael Monaghan just couldn’t hold on to the ball after making a great interception and finding an open field in front of him.

Wigan hit back and their persistence paid off when former Wolves star Martin Gleeson capitalised on referee Thierry Alibert’s award of six more tackles close to the Warrington line, touching down in the corner. Pat Richards surprisingly missed the conversion.

Some high speed passing by the visitors then earned reward as Amos Roberts also squeezed in at the same corner. Again, Richards failed with the kick.

The visitors were forced back over their own line three times in the next five minutes and a great run by Louis Anderson just failed to yield some points.

Turning round 8-6 ahead, Wigan introduced the irrepressible Deacon who soon illustrated what a fine buy he will be. Using soccer skills he soon put Warrington under real pressure but Riley saved the day also with the help of the boot.

Wigan then pulled further ahead when O’Loughlin, now one of five team captains for the visitors, sent Lee Mossop over. Roberts took over the kicking and put the visitors ahead 14-6.

Warrington came back into the game on 68 minutes when Chris Bridge slipped a lovely pass to Chris Riley who touched down in the corner. Briers added another goal from the touchline and there were just two points in it.

The decider came when Harrison Hansen crossed unopposed five minutes from time with Richards at last also getting on the score sheet.

Warrington: Richie Mathers, Chris Riley, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Matt King, Lee Briers, Richie Myler, Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Substitutes: Garreth Carvelll (for Wood 24), Mickey Higham (for Monaghan 28), David Solomona (for Morley 29), Vinnie Anderson (for Westwood 30), Simon Grix (for Harrison 33), Lee Mitchell (not used).

Wigan: Cameron Phelps, Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards, Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Mark Riddell, Eamon O’Carrroll, Harrison Hansen, Joel Tomkins, Sean O’Loughlin. Substitutes: Iafeta Paleaasina (for O’Carroll 10), Paul Prescott (for Fielden 24), Lee Mossop (for Hansen 32), Paul Deacon (for Riddell 41), Darrell Goulding (for Richards 50), Karl Pryce (for Carmont 50), Stuart Howarth (not used).

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Wood to face home town club in testimonial

Written by admin on January 4, 2010 – 12:22 am -

The two local rivals will meet in a high profile friendly fixture on Wednesday 27th January, kick off 7.30pm, at The Halliwell Jones Stadium with all of the Wolves proceeds going to Wood’s Testimonial fund.

Wood is celebrating ten years as a professional with the Wolves after joining from Ince St Williams in 1999. The local derby against his hometown club will be the first marquee event in a year of celebrations to honour his ten years at the club.

Commenting on the announcement, Wood said: ‘I am delighted to secure a fixture against Wigan Warriors. Getting the chance to play my home-town team in my testimonial game is very special to me. A Warrington versus Wigan game is always a feisty affair and this game should be no different. This game comes at a really good time of the year as it is only ten days before Super League XV kicks off. This will be the last chance for both clubs to see their strongest available side ahead of the new season. Hopefully the fans from both clubs will turn out in good number to take a look at their new look sides before they kick off their respective Super League campaigns.’

Tickets for the game will start from just £13 for adults standing and £5 for concessions and juniors. Family tickets will be available from £30 (two adults and two juniors).

Full ticket prices are as follows:

• North Stand – adults £ 16, concession £ 7, family tickets £ 35 (Reserved seating)
• Martin Dawes East Stand – adults £ 14, concession £ 6, family tickets £ 30. (Unreserved seating)
• South Stand – adults £ 13, concession £ 5
• Hospitality – £40 inc vat per person including: pre-match welcome, finest quality Heathcotes Buffet, reserved seating in the North Stand, entertainment and competitions, complimentary match-day programme, player appearances and account bar service. For more information email: paulwoodtestimonial@hotmail.com

The Doodson West Stand will be closed for this fixture.

Paul has amassed over 200 appearances for the Wolves since making his debut in September 2000 against Wakefield. He was won caps for both Great Britain and England was rewarded with both Players’ Player and Coaches Player of the Year in 2006. Paul works tirelessly within the local community and has recently taken up a head coach’s role with the Wolves’ scholarship programme.

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