On the day that the Club announced its retained list for the 2021/22 season, Boreham Wood FC would like to take this opportunity to thank all players who depart Meadow Park this summer for their efforts in a Wood shirt, however special mentions must go to a remarkable trio of players who served the Club magnificently during their time at Meadow Park in what has been the most successful time in the Club’s history.
Danny Woodards, Tom Champion and Keiran Murtagh leave the Club this summer after periods with the Wood that have seen the Club transform both on and off the pitch. During their times at Meadow Park the Club finished in the National League play-offs on two occasions, securing our highest ever pyramid finish of 4th position at step 1 of Non-League football during the 2017/18 season, whilst also becoming history makers in the FA Cup for the Club, too; beating a football league side for the first time in the Club’s history when we defeated Blackpool 2-1 in the First Round of the FA Cup in 2017 before reaching the Third Round Proper of the FA Cup in 2020 when we welcomed Championship outfit Millwall to Meadow Park. Their service to the Club will see them go down in Boreham Wood FC history as Club legends and part of a group that took our small community Football Club up Wembley Way and gave us the type of football ecstasy that we probably never even imagined possible, whether that be magical memories from games against Blackpool in the FA Cup, Sutton United in the play-off semi-final, Southend United in the FA Cup, the list goes on…
It was this unparalleled success on the pitch that gave Club Chairman the platform and drive to improve the Club exponentially off of the pitch during this same period, whether that be facility upgrades such as our new North Bank, new Premier League standard changing rooms, new 4G astro training facility, new £1 million DESSO grassmaster stadium pitch, new Champions League standard floodlights and dugouts and much, much more…
On what is a day that the Club looks forward to the new season and the players that will continue on this journey with Boreham Wood FC, there also comes great sadness as we say the toughest of goodbyes to incredible Club servants like Danny Woodards, Tom Champion and Keiran Murtagh.
“Woody” joined the Wood in 2015 following his departure from Hornchurch FC. Woody began his career at Chelsea before spending over 10 years in the Football League with the likes of Exeter City, Crewe Alexandra, MK Dons, Bristol Rovers and Tranmere Rovers. Danny then arrived at Meadow Park, spending 6 seasons with the Wood amassing 129 appearances for the Club. Woody coupled his first team playing duties with a coaching role within our BW PASE Academy, as well as first team coaching role in his final season at Meadow Park.
“Champ” joined the Wood in the summer 2017 following his departure from hometown club Barnet to play under his former school classmate Luke Garrard. Champ too coupled his first team playing duties with a coaching role within our BW PASE Academy, as well as playing understudy to Skipper Mark Ricketts as the Wood’s vice-Captain since the beginning of the 2018/19 season. Champ departs Meadow Park having amassed 168 appearances in a Wood shirt, the single most appearances he has made for a single Club during his career.
“Murts” too joined the Wood in the summer of 2017 following his departure from National League rivals Woking to join up with former teammate and central midfield partner Mark Ricketts in the engine room of Luke Garrard’s team. Murts leaves Meadow Park having played 176 times and scoring 11 goals for the Wood, again the single most appearances he has made for a single Club during his career.
Chairman Danny Hunter commented, “They’ve in truth helped me shape a Club ethos and establish ourselves as a National League Club. When looking back it becomes emotional because we’ve shared so many great moments and memories together. Perhaps our 2-1 FA Cup victory against Blackpool, the away 3-2 play-off semi-final win at Sutton and Woody’s pull back for Bruno’s equaliser at Wembley are the stand outs for me… But these boys leave us with our gratitude for their efforts and they leave us stronger than when they arrived. God bless the three of them as it’s the end of an era.”
Manager Luke Garrard commented, “I would like to thank Danny, Tom and Keiran for all their efforts in the time they have been at the Club. We have been through a lot as a group and I will fondly remember the great memories we created together.
“The likes of Blackpool where Kieran was instrumental in us taking the lead, Danny’s pull back at Wembley for us to level the tie and Tom’s key performance away at Sutton to ensure we walked out at Wembley. Just thinking back about the play-off achievements and creating history in the FA Cup shows the level of player the three of them are. To create so many memories in a relatively short time is most definitely something to be proud of.
“I wish them all the best in their futures and they will always be welcome at Meadow Park.” Garrard concluded.
On behalf of everyone at Boreham Wood FC, our heartfelt thanks go to Woody, Champ and Murts. We thank you for your incredible service to Boreham Wood FC, good luck in the future and we will miss you all dearly!
OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.
