Colin Woodthorpe joined Norwich in July 1990 from Chester City, the club that he had joined as an apprentice in 1985 as an associate schoolboy. He made his league debut for Chester in August 1986 and by the time of his transfer to Carrow Road, Colin had made 155 league appearances at left back, scoring six times. Mark Bowen's occupation of the left back position limited Colin's chances and he did not make his Canary debut until 11th May 1991 in a 2-1 defeat away to Sheffield United. After 53 games (1 goal) for the Canaries and limited first team opportunities, Colin jumped at a chance to move to Aberdeen who were offering better financial terms. Norwich City received £400,000. He never truly settled in Scotland and returned to England in July 1997 to join Gary Megson's Stockport for £200,000. He has since totaled up 119 league appearances for County scoring 4 goals.

Despite captaining Stockport in 2001/02, he was given a free transfer at the end of the 2001/02 season with County's manager Carlton Palmer obviously not impressed with Woodthorpe's contribution towards their relegation into Division Two. At the time of writing, Colin appeared to be on the brink of joining non-leaguers Morecambe after impressing against Barrow in a pre-season friendly during August 2002. However Colin held out for a return to league football and was successful, signing for Bury on a short term contract towards the end of August 2002. He made his Bury debut as a half-time substitute for Barrass in their 1-1 draw at Jan Molby's Hull on 24th August 2002.

Colin was one of four players released by Bury on 16th May 2005 but has since been re-signed