Richard Mark Wood (born 5 July 1985) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a defender. He is currently a first-team coach at Rotherham United.
Born in Ossett, West Yorkshire, Wood was a Leeds United fan and had a season ticket at Leeds, however Wood came up through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday and started to support The Owls instead. He broke into the senior side at the end of the 2002âÂÂ03 season and capped his superb performance with a goal on his full debut against Burnley. The young Wood made such an impression that he was handed a two-year deal before he completed the second year of his Academy scholarship.
He formed a partnership with Graham Coughlan in the centre of defence and has put in a series of strong displays.
Wood staked his claim for a regular spot as he missed just one of the final 28 games as Wednesday clinched promotion to the Championship the previous season.
He enjoyed a lengthy run in the 2005âÂÂ06 season before an untimely injury cut short his season, which also deprived him of making an appearance for the Football League Select XI against an Italian Serie B representative side. He was rewarded by receiving the Rhodes Fairbanks Young player of the year award by fans of the club.
On 3 March 2007, Wood returned from his injury to make his first start for Wednesday in 11 months in a 3âÂÂ2 league win against Yorkshire rivals Leeds United at Elland Road. He would go on to start in the rest of Wednesday's 11 games that season and helped them to finish the season with just one loss from 13 games â a run which almost saw the side finish in the Championship play-offs.
Prior to the 2008âÂÂ09 season Wood was named joint captain alongside Steve Watson, although shortly after the season began Wood handed in a transfer request. The request was declined.
In the 2009âÂÂ10 campaign, after a successful start for Wood, scoring two goals in two matches, he declined a new contract with Wednesday, and he was transfer listed on 29 October 2009.
On 18 November 2009, Wood signed for Coventry City on loan until January 2010, when he was then expected to sign a permanent deal. He made his debut in a 1âÂÂ1 draw with Crystal Palace on 21 November 2009. He then got his first goal for the Sky Blues the following game with the equaliser against Derby County. On 6 December Wood even captained Coventry in a 1âÂÂ0 loss to Scunthorpe United. After four starts and one substitute appearance, Wood made the move permanent signing on a contract till 2013 on 1 January 2010. On 27 March 2010, Wood scored the equaliser for Coventry in a match against his former club, Sheffield Wednesday. He was also named as captain in this game which finished 1âÂÂ1.
On 18 July 2013, Wood signed a one-year deal with Charlton Athletic.
On 26 June 2014, Wood signed with Rotherham United. On 20 February 2015, Wood signed a one-month loan deal with Crawley Town.
On 23 September 2015, Wood signed a one-month loan deal with Fleetwood Town.
On 26 October 2015, he signed for Chesterfield on a three-month loan deal.
Wood scored his first goal after his return to Rotherham in a 3âÂÂ1 defeat to Preston North End on 5 November 2016.
Following the departure of Paul Warne as Rotherham United's manager in September 2022, Wood was installed as caretaker manager along with Lee Peltier as the club searched for a permanent option. The duo of Wood and Peltier oversaw one game as co-caretakers, a 2âÂÂ0 home loss to Wigan Athletic, before the appointment of Matt Taylor from Exeter City.
After the final game of the 2022âÂÂ23 season, manager Matt Taylor confirmed in a post-match interview that Wood would not be offered a new contract with the club and would be released.
On 23 May 2023, Wood signed a one-year contract with Doncaster Rovers. He was recruited by manager Grant McCann for his experience and leadership qualities, joining the club ahead of the 2023âÂÂ24 EFL League Two season.
On 3 May 2025, Doncaster secured the League Two title on the final day of the season, earning automatic promotion to EFL League One. The championship success marked the first time in WoodâÂÂs professional career that he finished top of a league table, resulting in his first winnersâ medal, despite having previously achieved multiple promotions at other clubs.
On 7 May 2025, Wood announced his retirement from football due to a persistent ankle injury.
While playing for Sheffield Wednesday, Wood received a call up from the England national under-21 football team however injury prevented him from meeting up with the squad.
On 20 May 2025, Wood returned to Rotherham United as first-team coach.
His younger brother, Nick Wood, played in the Sheffield Wednesday academy until the end of the 2009âÂÂ10 season. He subsequently played a few games for Tranmere Rovers and Mansfield Town.
He studied for a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting at Staffordshire University.
Sheffield Wednesday
Rotherham United
Doncaster Rovers