Woodgate: Mistakes behind me now
Jonathan Woodgate believes he has put to bed the off-the-field problems which marred the early years of his career.
The 26-year-old faces English opposition tonight with Real Madrid, as they tackle Arsenal in the Champions League last 16.
More than four years have passed since Woodgate was found guilty of affray and handed a community service order following his high-profile trial at Hull Crown Court.
And he is confident that such troubled days are behind him, telling the Daily Mirror: “In England I had a few mishaps which I will own up to. I made some mistakes, but I am not a bad lad.
“I am not a nasty person who goes round to hurt people on or off the field.
“There could have been a situation where I could have wasted my career because I kept getting myself into trouble.
“I couldn’t let it go any further. I left Leeds and then Newcastle gave me a chance and I have not made any mistakes since. I was young and I’m not frightened to say that I was stupid. But the mistakes are over now.”
Woodgate was a surprise £13.4million signing by Madrid in summer 2004, but only in recent months has he established himself in the Spanish giants’ team.
A serious thigh injury meant Woodgate was sidelined for the entire 2004-05 season, and on his debut he netted an own goal.
But the centre-back, who could yet force his way into England’s World Cup squad, was always confident he would make a success of his big chance with Madrid.
“I never, ever got to the point where I thought I was going to have to quit,” he said. “I knew I’d get back.”
