Billy Woods on Damien Richardson who he played under for three different spells: 'Damien gave people the belief to just go out and play'

Playing under the same manager on three different occasions suggests a complete trust in each other from both parties involved. Billy Woods and Damien Richardson are two who have done so and respect for team based decisions made, sometimes to the immediate disappointment of the player, also has to be factored in.

Returning from Coventry City without a first team appearance in 1993, the Midleton native first encountered Richardson at Cork City during their Bishopstown sojourn, where he provided youthful impetus on the left wing, amongst a side littered with League of Ireland veterans.

Performances merited a second shot at English football, with Tranmere Rovers, but first John King and then John Aldridge largely ignored Woods, who at least managed a few appearances whilst on loan to Blackpool.

“When I signed for John King, I started every pre-season game and was hopeful of being in the squad for the first game of the season against Wolves," said Woods when extratime.com spoke with the player recently.

"For whatever reason from then on, John King didn’t really take to me, even though I did well in pre-season.

"The reality was that there was a guy playing in my position, left-back then, called Alan Rogers, who went on to be sold for £2 million to Nottingham Forest. He came in, did really well and I suppose was ahead of me.

“There was nothing personal between me and John Aldridge. I got on really well with him, but he had to make decisions for the benefit of the team. I was disappointed because I really should have been playing first-team football at that time.

"It’s funny because I’ve just finished Pat Nevin’s second book and Pat was at Tranmere while I was there. Pat was an established Scottish international, made a lot of goals for Aldo and it’s interesting to see how other players view their careers at a time when you’re there too.”

Coming home for a second time and despite attracting interest from a few clubs, Woods took the unexpected decision to link up with NIFL side Portadown in 1997.

“There was myself, Garry Haylock, Vinny Arkins, Martin Russell and Colm Tresson ... All experienced League of Ireland players. The games up north were mostly scraps and battles.

"There was a lot of animosity between teams, issues with fans and we even had death threats when we used to travel up there in cars. I think the standard of football and quality of player is greater down south. I did enjoy it for the year because I was playing with those decent players.”

Following a solitary season in the NIFL, Woods signed for Shamrock Rovers who were then managed by Mick Byrne, but when Byrne later lost his job, a familiar face took over the Hoops hot seat.

“Mick was a gentleman and was unfortunate that year because I don’t think collectively we were where we should have been. I got well with Damien, who was a relaxed individual. He allowed players to believe in themselves. He wouldn’t have been one for a huge amount of coaching.

"Mick Cooke would have taken a lot of the sessions and was the Irish Women’s manager at the time. Damien just gave people the belief to just go out and play. Overall, I played nearly eight years of my career under Damien.”

Heading back to Cork City in 2002, Billy’s six years second time around reached its pinnacle when the Leesiders beat title rivals Derry City 2-0 at Turner’s Cross, to claim the 2005 Premier Division, inevitably under Richardson’s tutelage, even though he didn’t get on the pitch that night.

“I think I played in the last three games before that and it didn’t really bother me, to be honest. I was on the bench that night, but played around 24 games during the season, so I played my role in the team winning the league. To win it at the Cross was amazing, as it was the last night of the Shed.

"That was the manager’s decision and I had no problem with Damien about that. He picked a player ahead of me, but at 32 years of age, by then you realise it’s not personal and just his decision for the betterment of the team. It was an amazing occasion and I was glad to be able to share it with my family.”

Retiring from League of Ireland football in 2008, Woods made a surprise comeback two years later, playing for Tommy Dunne’s Rebel Army in the First Division, in tandem with coaching duties.

“Tommy took over and got tasked with pulling together a team in a very short time. He was struggling for players and I just finished a Munster Senior League season with Midleton. I didn’t want to play, if I’m honest. I was 36 and at the end of my career, but Tommy wanted me to come in for a few months to help out, so I did.

"Greg O’Halloran was number two to Tommy at the time. Greg wanted to focus on playing and I wanted to focus on coaching. That was the agreement and we finished mid table the first year and the second season we won the First Division.”

In addition to the aforementioned coaching role, Billy and former teammate Dan Murray later took over the running of Cork City’s U-15s.

“I was teaching and also working with John Caulfield. I couldn’t attend training in the mornings, so I stepped away from the first team. John asked me to come in and take the U-15s with Dan in 2017. We did that for three seasons. Dan is still there, with the U-17s.

"We were fortunate enough to bring players in, who have since went abroad: Cathal Heffernan, Mark O’Mahony and Harry Nevin, who’s just back in the country. We also brought in a lot of boys who went on to the first team. I thoroughly enjoyed working with young players and helping their development.”

Euro wrap - who is up next for the League of Ireland sides in Europe, how much has each LOI team earned and what is their potential earnings? https://t.co/ss8VcumIoapic.twitter.com/jmbfOfymG7

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) July 22, 2023