David Woodfield

David Woodfield (11 October 1943 – 1 May 2025) was an English football player and coach. He played as a central defender, making over 250 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 1960s, before concluding his playing career at Watford. Following retirement, Woodfield embarked on a coaching career that spanned several decades and continents, including a stint as Saudi Arabia national football team manager.

David Woodfield

Personal information
Date of birth	(1943-10-11)11 October 1943
Place of birth	Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
Date of death	1 May 2025(2025-05-01) (aged 81)
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1959–1962	Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1962–1971	Wolverhampton Wanderers	250	(13)
1967	→ Los Angeles Wolves (loan)	6	(1)
1971–1974	Watford	15	(0)
Total		271	(14)
Managerial career
1979	Saudi Arabia
2000–2001	Sabah
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Born in Leamington Spa,^[2] Woodfield joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1959, making his senior debut in 1962, and making 276 appearances for the club in all competitions before being sold to Watford in 1971.^[3] During his time with Wolverhampton, he spent time at Los Angeles Wolves in the United Soccer Association.^[1] At Watford he made a further 15 league appearances.^[4]

Coaching career

Woodfield retired due to injury, and became a coach at Watford.^[4] He then spent time as a coach under Qatar manager Frank Wignall.^[5][6] In 1976, he worked with Saudi Arabia manager Bill McGarry.^[7][8][9]

He later joined Newcastle United as a coach, again under McGarry.^[3]

Woodfield returned to Saudi Arabia to manage the national team at the 5th Arabian Gulf Cup in 1979, where they finished third.^[10][11][12]

He then spent his career abroad until 2011, primarily in Asia,^[5][10] working in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil and Finland.^[10]

Death

Woodfield died on 1 May 2025, at the age of 81.^[3][13]