20 Facts About Vivian Woodward

Vivian John Woodward was an English footballer who enjoyed the peak of his career from the turn of the 20th century to the outbreak of the First World War.

Internationally, Woodward captained Great Britain to gold medals at the 1908 Olympics in London and in Stockholm in 1912, and made a combined 59 international appearances for a combination of England, England Amateurs, and Great Britain.

Vivian Woodward's combined record for England of 75 goals in 53 matches is still the highest international record of any player to have scored more than 50 goals for their country, whilst his record of 75 goals is still the highest combined total of international goals scored by any English footballer.

Vivian Woodward took part in ten British Home Championships, lifting the trophy eight times.

Vivian Woodward is the 5th highest all-time record goalscorer of the Home Championship with 14 goals in total.

Vivian Woodward served in the British Army during the First World War, and as a result missed out on Chelsea's run to their first-ever FA Cup final in 1915.

Vivian Woodward then served on Cheleas's Board between 1922 and 1930 as a director of the club.

An architect by profession, Vivian Woodward began his career at Clacton Town.

Vivian Woodward helped the team win promotion to the First Division that season.

Vivian Woodward had a short spell back with Chelmsford, but was persuaded to join David Calderhead's Chelsea on 20 November 1909.

Vivian Woodward went on to play in a total of 116 games for them, scoring 34 goals.

Vivian Woodward was given special leave to join Chelsea at Old Trafford for the FA Cup Final as Bob Thomson was injured, however Thomson recovered and Woodward refused to play, believing it was immoral to deny Thomson his chance to play in an FA Cup final as Woodward himself had not played in any of Chelsea's matches in their run to the final.

In January 1916, Vivian Woodward was injured in the right thigh by a German Grenade whilst fighting for Britain in the Great War.

Vivian Woodward played in three unofficial international matches against South Africa in 1910, scoring a further four goals.

Vivian Woodward turned out 44 times for England Amateurs and scored 57 goals.

Vivian Woodward represented the Football League XI and the Southern League XI.

Vivian Woodward toured the United States with The Pilgrims in 1905.

Vivian Woodward captained Great Britain to gold medals at the 1908 Olympics in London and then in Stockholm in 1912, scoring three goals in 1908, including one in the final, and other two in 1912.

Vivian Woodward joined the 17th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

Vivian Woodward served on the Western Front and was wounded in 1916.