Clive Woodward

Sir Clive Ronald Woodward, KBE (born 6 January 1956 at Ely in Cambridgeshire) is a former English rugby union international who was the coach of the England rugby union team from 1997 to 2004. Woodward managed the England side to victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

England resignation

Woodward's contract with England was due to run until 2007. Following the retirement of key figures like Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson, allied with a reported lack of co-operation from the Premiership clubs his players also represented, Woodward was linked with a possible switch to football (soccer). Initially the rumours of this switch of games was denied, but on September 1 2004, Woodward announced that he would be quitting his job as England coach. In an interview just prior to this, he had said:

Related Topics:
Lawrence Dallaglio - Martin Johnson - Football (soccer) - September 1 - 2004

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:My whole background is in football. I never had that passion for rugby I have for football. I never got into rugby in the same way. I love football and I go to as many games as I possibly can. I was forced into playing rugby, because that's the only game the school played. And I hated it. I ran away a couple of times because of football. I didn't mind being at boarding school. I just hated not playing football

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Initially, a move to Southampton Football Club looked likely, as Woodward is known to be friendly with chairman Rupert Lowe. Lowe discussed this possibility with the board on September_2,2004. However, in his resignation press conference, Woodward said that his stated intention is to take the Football Association's Grade Two coaching badges after the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand:

Related Topics:
Southampton Football Club - Rupert Lowe - September_2 - 2004 - The Football Association - 2005 - British and Irish Lions - New Zealand

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:I have been talking to Rupert Lowe for a long time. He contacted me a couple of years ago, but certainly I'm not involved in anything to do with the first team. I will take no paid position until the Lions tour is over.

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:I am 100% committed to the Lions . My commitment to them is absolute. I am taking no job from anyone until that is finished.

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:I have loved every minute of it, but I will be leaving rugby at end of the Lions tour.

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:I'm interested in football, I intend to do the awards but I may end up coaching Maidenhead under-nines. You have to start at the bottom and I intend to do that.

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