Alf Woods Has Hung Up His Football Boots

Chronicle (Levin), 13 October 1949, Page 7

Alf Woods Has Hung Up His Football Boots

General regret will be felt in football circles at the retirement of Ali Woods, of the Shannon Football Club. Alf has intimated that he will not be playing next season. With a very creditable football history, Alf is one of five of his family who have figured in Shannon rugby. His other brothers, Gordon, George, Ron and Ken, have all played for Shannon seniors, Alf and George figuring in Horowhenua representative teams. His father, Tom Woods, is a keen football fan. Alf, George and Gordon began playing for Shannon in the juniors in the early 1930's. In 1936 all three played in the Shannon seniors, who that year won the senior competition. In 1939 Alf played for King Country; 1940-41 found him back in Shannon and in the Horowhenua reps. He then joined the forces and was taken prisoner in 1942. On the way to Italy as a prisoner of war the ship on which he was travelling was torpedoed and one of his feet was badly iniured. He returned to New Zealand after three *years a p.o.w. thinking that his football days would be over. However, he resumed play in 1948 wearing a specially padded boot. Now aged 34, he thinks it is time he retired. Shannon will miss him in the club and he will also be missed in the Horowhenua representative teams, where he did good work as lock. Much credit is due him for Shannon's good showing this season.