FOR many footballers, second chances don’t come along. Michael Woods is making the most of the opportunity.
From a £5m prospect at Chelsea to Harrogate Town in under two years, the 24-year-old has plenty to ponder.
Now at Hartlepool United, Woods is out to fulfil the promise displayed as a schoolboy at Leeds United, the sort of ability which led to Chelsea being forced to shell out millions for Woods and team-mate Tom Taiwo after being found guilty of poaching the pair. With Taiwo leaving Carlisle for Falkirk last summer, it’s fair to say it wasn’t £5m well spent.
A run of injuries affected Woods and spells at Notts County, Yeovil and Doncaster left him and his undoubted talent unfulfilled.
But Colin Cooper, then Pools boss, spotted his potential last season while at Harrogate Town. The chance to enjoy an injury-free season got him back on track and in love with football again.
On Saturday, Woods netted the opening goal as Pools won at Exeter. Cooper, who spotted his potential has  gone, but he may have left the club with a crowd-pleaser in waiting.
Given a start and a licence to roam by caretaker boss Sam Collins, Woods relished the job. 
“The club is brilliant and I am delighted to be here,’’ he reflected. 
“My injury problems have been well documented but last year I managed to get a full season under my belt.
“I will always be grateful to Colin for giving me that opportunity to come back into the Football League – now, I just want to kick on.
“Sam has given me the chance of a run in the side and you can see the hunger from the young lads.
“If you look at the bench on Saturday we had quite a strong bench.
“That competition for places will help and we now need to build some momentum.’’
At Stamford Bridge, he seriously injured his knee before dislocating his ankle on his return, leaving on a free transfer before ending up in the North-East, close to his York roots. 
“This is my second chance,’’ he admitted. 
“There have been some very tough times, when you are on and off an injury bed for three or four years and it is operation after operation – it is tough.
“You do question yourself at times, you question whether you can come back.
“Because of that I will always be grateful to Colin for giving me the opportunity.
“It is now up to me to keep the shirt and look to build on this win with a few more.’’
Collins has ditched the flat 4-4-2 set-up preferred by Cooper in favour of a fluent 4-2-3-1 set-up amd Woods admitted: “This formation suits my game.
“We have a youthful side that can counter well with the two full-backs that get up and down. 
“I am still quite young and feel there is a lot to give.
“There is a great mix of youth and experience in the squad, we now need to put another performance on next Saturday.”
Collins has been assisted by Brian Honour on the training ground this week, the club legend joining on a short-term basis as Pools seek a boss to replace Cooper. 
The aim is for Honour’s enthusiasm and passion to rub off on the squad and Woods admitted: “It has been brilliant under Sam.
“You can see from the performances that Sam has the respect of the lads 100 per cent. The dressing room is tight and everybody is behind each other.
“One thing I realised when I came in was how good the team spirit is, even when we were bottom of the league.
“It is alright getting one win, now we need to build a run of results.”
Woods had been a squad player under Cooper, the former manager easing Woods back into the professional game. 
But Collins, in his two games to date, has started Woods both times and he admitted: “It has been frustrating for me, because everybody wants to play.
“We haven’t got the results but the lads are honest and hardworking.
“Whoever comes in has to try and keep their shirt.
“It is difficult coming on 20-25 minutes here and there. “Once you get a start then it is your shirt to lose.
“That will bode well for the future, if there is competition for places, keeping everyone on their toes. The lads have to work hard in training to keep their place. There has always been a believe that we can get out of trouble.’’
Pools reserves play at Doncaster today, with the players who weren’t involved at Exeter set to start, including striker Marlon Harewood.