Dave Woods waiting to explain his side of the story

Feb 9 2010 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

The Rugby Football League have agreed to investigate Dave Woods' Gateshead sacking. The former Thunder head coach told Nick Purewal he is still waiting to explain his side of the story.

Woods was preparing to assault National One as it was then known when he was sacked, building on from the glory of winning National Two the previous campaign.

Revealing only loyalty kept him at Gateshead when he had a financially-superior offer from Featherstone, Woods said he could have been coaching Barrow now – but for the continued questions around quite why he was relieved of the Thunder job.

He added: “I turned down a fantastic offer to go and coach Featherstone Rovers to finish what I had started at Thunder.

“I did the honourable thing and stuck by my decision to come to the North East in the first place, and I expected that would be reciprocated.

“I was in the running for the job at Barrow and had spoken with their chairman a number of times, and we were discussing the exact issue of why I had been sacked at Gateshead.

“Credit to everyone at Barrow, they were very open and honest with me and I respect that – they told me they were worried about why I had been sacked and I offered to meet the board and explain the situation in detail.

“They were interested in that and I think they would have given me that chance, but then Gateshead went under and Steve McCormack became available.

“Clearly that was a much safer move for them, and I can not blame them for going after Steve in the circumstances.

“I know my name has been muddied by what has happened and I hope the RFL’s investigation will at least clear me of any wrongdoing.

“That is all I want. I don’t want recompense and it was never about that.

“ I don’t want to get anyone into trouble or cause bother either – but I do want the chance to continue my career which has stalled because of this.

“I am 45 now, have a lot of experience and a lot to offer, and also a long time to be in the game too.

“Until someone officially can turn around and say ‘Dave Woods did not do anything wrong’ then I am going to struggle.

“I hold no grudges and there is no ill-feeling to be honest.

“I would go back and coach at Gateshead tomorrow if they asked, but I need a resolution to this so I can move on.”