City Snap Up England C Skipper Woodyard

Manager Danny Cowley has made his first signing as Imps’ boss with the acquisition of England C captain Alex Woodyard.

An integral part of Braintree Town’s successful campaign last season, Gravesend-born midfielder Woodyard has signed a one-year contract with City.

The 23-year-old was a youth with Charlton Athletic and served his scholarship at Southend United before penning professional terms with the Shrimpers in the summer of 2011 having already forced his way into the first team at Roots Hall.

He gained further experience during loan spells at Farnborough and Braintree and on his release from Southend linked up with Dartford after impressing during the 2013/14 pre-season. Despite being an almost ever-present during his one season at Dartford he moved to Concord Rangers, managed at the time by Danny and Nicky Cowley.

An impressive year at Concord saw him pick up the supporters’ ‘Player of the Season’ award but he subsequently followed the Cowley brothers to Braintree after a week-long trial at Leyton Orient.