He joined West Ham in 1905 but did not make an appearance for them until 1907 in a game in the Southern League against Brighton.

He spent the 1908–09 season at Hastings & St Leonards United where he made at least 16 appearances, scoring 7 goals in all competitions[5] but returned to West Ham in 1909 whom he played for in the Second Division after World War I.

He finished playing in 1921 having made 197 appearances in all competitions for West Ham, scoring three goals [6] Woodards returned to West Ham to work as a groundsman at Upton Park.

He was the only person in the ground when, in August 1944, a Luftwaffe V1 landed on the pitch, exploding and causing damage to the playing area.

West Ham were forced to play away from Upton Park, winning nine consecutive matches.