Woodgate turned Boro down

Last updated : 02 February 2003 By Martyn Elliott

Not a Boro player
It turns out that Jonathan Woodgate had the opportunity to join his home-town club as a schoolboy but wisely passed up the opportunity.

Woody said of the episode: "I was on their books when I was 12 or 13, but they wanted me to commit myself too early and my Dad felt I would be better having a couple more years playing alongside my friends in local football.

"I suppose if Middlesbrough had been a little less demanding, I might have signed for them.

"Eventually I got picked up by Leeds. I went there for a trial and enjoyed it."

Woody’s Dad is obviously a very perceptive parent!