Cambridge supporters will celebrate the 300th first team appearance of veteran captain Patrick ‘Paddy’ Woodlock when he leads out the Reds on Saturday for their last home game of the season.
Woodlock (34) made his first team debut in 2005 — while some of his current teammates were still at kindergarten — and he’s been the club’s standout player, either in midfield or defence, for most of the years since.
He holds a club record for winning its Jim Barry Memorial Shield, awarded for the Player of the Year, six times.
On Saturday, he leads Cambridge against Bucklands Beach in their Lotto NRFL second division match at John Kerkhof Park, where Woodlock has played a large percentage of his 300 games.
Main photo: Woodlock proving a handful at corners from which he’s scored many a goal.
In the club’s match programme for the weekend, Woodlock receives tributes from coaches past and present.
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His first coach, Mike Woodlock, said: “Patrick is a true leader in every sense. He leads on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon, and he leads on the training ground on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
Former coach Paul Richardson, now with rivals Claudelands Rovers, said: “Self-driven players with ability, passion and genuine humility like Patrick are a true gift for any club and coach.”
Current coach Bradley Rea said: “Growing up as a Junior Red myself, Patrick was somebody who I looked up to — I then had the privilege of playing alongside him and how the privilege of being able to coach him. Patrick is a Cambridge legend …”
Cambridge’s director of football, Ricki Herbert, said: “Patrick has shown loyalty to the club and has been a fantastic role model for many years.”
Senior club captain Harry Bomans said: “To clock up 300 first team appearances shows the dedication of a true club player.”
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