Ray Wood

Date of birth11 June 1931
Place of birthHebburn
NationalityEnglish
PositionGoalkeeper
Died07 July 2002

An international goalkeeper signed from Darlington when 18, spent 10 seasons at Old Trafford, with 'The Babes' team and survived Munich. A top goalkeeper, capped three times by England. Won two Championship medals (1955-56 and 1956-57). Regrettably the outstanding memory of Ray Wood was in the 1957 FA Cup Final with United favourites for the first 'double' of the 20th century. After 6 minutes an appalling challenge by Villa's Peter McParland saw Wood stretchered off, suffering severe concussion and a broken cheekbone. United's ten men lost 2-1.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Darlington 01 Sep 1949 01 Dec 1949
Manchester United 01 Dec 1949 01 Dec 1958
Huddersfield Town 01 Dec 1958 01 Oct 1965
Bradford City 01 Oct 1965 01 Aug 1966

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Clean sheets Conceded Y R
1949-50 Manchester United League Division One 1 1
1952-53 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1 1
1952-53 Manchester United FA Cup 4 3 1
1952-53 Manchester United League Division One 12 6 2
1953-54 Manchester United FA Cup 1 1
1953-54 Manchester United League Division One 27 15 8
1954-55 Football League Inter League 2 1 1
1954-55 Manchester United FA Cup 3 2
1954-55 Manchester United League Division One 37 21 11
1955-56 Manchester United FA Cup 1
1955-56 Manchester United League Division One 41 26 10
1956-57 Football League Inter League 1 1
1956-57 Manchester United European Cup 8 7
1956-57 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1 1
1956-57 Manchester United FA Cup 6 5 2
1956-57 Manchester United League Division One 39 25 11
1957-58 Manchester United European Cup 4 3
1957-58 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1 1
1957-58 Manchester United League Division One 20 13 5
1958-59 Manchester United League Division One 1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
03 Dec 1949 Manchester United v Newcastle United D 1-1 League Division One
23 Aug 1952 Manchester United v Chelsea W 2-0 League Division One
20 Sep 1952 Aston Villa v Manchester United D 3-3 League Division One
24 Sep 1952 Manchester United v Newcastle United W 4-2 FA Charity Shield
27 Sep 1952 Manchester United v Sunderland L 0-1 League Division One
11 Oct 1952 Manchester United v Stoke City L 0-2 League Division One
25 Dec 1952 Blackpool v Manchester United D 0-0 League Division One
26 Dec 1952 Manchester United v Blackpool W 2-1 League Division One
01 Jan 1953 Manchester United v Derby County W 1-0 League Division One
03 Jan 1953 Manchester United v Manchester City D 1-1 League Division One
10 Jan 1953 Millwall v Manchester United W 0-1 FA Cup 3rd round
17 Jan 1953 Manchester United v Portsmouth W 1-0 League Division One
24 Jan 1953 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United L 2-1 League Division One
31 Jan 1953 Manchester United v Walthamstow Avenue D 1-1 FA Cup 4th round
05 Feb 1953 Walthamstow Avenue v Manchester United W 2-5 FA Cup 4th round replay
07 Feb 1953 Manchester United v Aston Villa W 3-1 League Division One
14 Feb 1953 Everton v Manchester United L 2-1 FA Cup 5th round
21 Feb 1953 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers L 0-3 League Division One
29 Aug 1953 Manchester United v Newcastle United D 1-1 League Division One
02 Sep 1953 West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United L 2-0 League Division One
05 Sep 1953 Manchester City v Manchester United L 2-0 League Division One
09 Sep 1953 Manchester United v Middlesbrough D 2-2 League Division One
12 Sep 1953 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United D 0-0 League Division One
16 Sep 1953 Middlesbrough v Manchester United W 1-4 League Division One
19 Sep 1953 Manchester United v Preston North End W 1-0 League Division One
26 Sep 1953 Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United D 1-1 League Division One
03 Oct 1953 Manchester United v Burnley L 1-2 League Division One
10 Oct 1953 Manchester United v Sunderland W 1-0 League Division One
17 Oct 1953 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United L 3-1 League Division One
24 Oct 1953 Manchester United v Aston Villa W 1-0 League Division One
31 Oct 1953 Huddersfield Town v Manchester United D 0-0 League Division One
07 Nov 1953 Manchester United v Arsenal D 2-2 League Division One
14 Nov 1953 Cardiff City v Manchester United W 1-6 League Division One
21 Nov 1953 Manchester United v Blackpool W 4-1 League Division One
28 Nov 1953 Portsmouth v Manchester United D 1-1 League Division One
05 Dec 1953 Manchester United v Sheffield United D 2-2 League Division One
12 Dec 1953 Chelsea v Manchester United L 3-1 League Division One
19 Dec 1953 Manchester United v Liverpool W 5-1 League Division One
25 Dec 1953 Manchester United v Sheffield Wednesday W 5-2 League Division One
26 Dec 1953 Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester United W 0-1 League Division One
02 Jan 1954 Newcastle United v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
09 Jan 1954 Burnley v Manchester United L 5-3 FA Cup 3rd round
16 Jan 1954 Manchester United v Manchester City D 1-1 League Division One
23 Jan 1954 Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers L 1-5 League Division One
27 Feb 1954 Sunderland v Manchester United W 0-2 League Division One
06 Mar 1954 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers W 1-0 League Division One
21 Aug 1954 Manchester United v Portsmouth L 1-3 League Division One
23 Aug 1954 Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester United W 2-4 League Division One
28 Aug 1954 Blackpool v Manchester United W 2-4 League Division One
01 Sep 1954 Manchester United v Sheffield Wednesday W 2-0 League Division One
04 Sep 1954 Manchester United v Charlton Athletic W 3-1 League Division One
08 Sep 1954 Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United W 0-2 League Division One
11 Sep 1954 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United D 1-1 League Division One
15 Sep 1954 Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur W 2-1 League Division One
18 Sep 1954 Manchester United v Huddersfield Town D 1-1 League Division One
25 Sep 1954 Manchester City v Manchester United L 3-2 League Division One
09 Oct 1954 Manchester United v Cardiff City W 5-2 League Division One
16 Oct 1954 Chelsea v Manchester United W 5-6 League Division One
23 Oct 1954 Manchester United v Newcastle United D 2-2 League Division One
30 Oct 1954 Everton v Manchester United L 4-2 League Division One
06 Nov 1954 Manchester United v Preston North End W 2-1 League Division One
13 Nov 1954 Sheffield United v Manchester United L 3-0 League Division One
20 Nov 1954 Manchester United v Arsenal W 2-1 League Division One
27 Nov 1954 West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United L 2-0 League Division One
04 Dec 1954 Manchester United v Leicester City W 3-1 League Division One
11 Dec 1954 Burnley v Manchester United W 2-4 League Division One
18 Dec 1954 Portsmouth v Manchester United D 0-0 League Division One
27 Dec 1954 Manchester United v Aston Villa L 0-1 League Division One
28 Dec 1954 Aston Villa v Manchester United L 2-1 League Division One
01 Jan 1955 Manchester United v Blackpool W 4-1 League Division One
08 Jan 1955 Reading v Manchester United D 1-1 FA Cup 3rd round
12 Jan 1955 Manchester United v Reading W 4-1 FA Cup 3rd round replay
22 Jan 1955 Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers D 1-1 League Division One
29 Jan 1955 Manchester City v Manchester United L 2-0 FA Cup 4th round
05 Feb 1955 Huddersfield Town v Manchester United W 1-3 League Division One
12 Feb 1955 Manchester United v Manchester City L 0-5 League Division One
23 Feb 1955 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers L 2-4 League Division One
26 Feb 1955 Cardiff City v Manchester United L 3-0 League Division One
05 Mar 1955 Manchester United v Burnley W 1-0 League Division One
19 Mar 1955 Manchester United v Everton L 1-2 League Division One
26 Mar 1955 Preston North End v Manchester United W 0-2 League Division One
02 Apr 1955 Manchester United v Sheffield United W 5-0 League Division One
08 Apr 1955 Sunderland v Manchester United L 4-3 League Division One
23 Apr 1955 Arsenal v Manchester United W 2-3 League Division One
26 Apr 1955 Charlton Athletic v Manchester United D 1-1 League Division One
30 Apr 1955 Manchester United v Chelsea W 2-1 League Division One
20 Aug 1955 Birmingham City v Manchester United D 2-2 League Division One
24 Aug 1955 Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur D 2-2 League Division One
27 Aug 1955 Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion W 3-1 League Division One
31 Aug 1955 Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
03 Sep 1955 Manchester City v Manchester United L 1-0 League Division One
07 Sep 1955 Manchester United v Everton W 2-1 League Division One
10 Sep 1955 Sheffield United v Manchester United L 1-0 League Division One
14 Sep 1955 Everton v Manchester United L 4-2 League Division One
17 Sep 1955 Manchester United v Preston North End W 3-2 League Division One
24 Sep 1955 Burnley v Manchester United D 0-0 League Division One
01 Oct 1955 Manchester United v Luton Town W 3-1 League Division One
08 Oct 1955 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers W 4-3 League Division One
15 Oct 1955 Aston Villa v Manchester United D 4-4 League Division One
29 Oct 1955 Cardiff City v Manchester United W 0-1 League Division One
05 Nov 1955 Manchester United v Arsenal D 1-1 League Division One
12 Nov 1955 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United L 3-1 League Division One
19 Nov 1955 Manchester United v Chelsea W 3-0 League Division One
26 Nov 1955 Blackpool v Manchester United D 0-0 League Division One
03 Dec 1955 Manchester United v Sunderland W 2-1 League Division One
10 Dec 1955 Portsmouth v Manchester United L 3-2 League Division One
17 Dec 1955 Manchester United v Birmingham City W 2-1 League Division One
24 Dec 1955 West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United W 1-4 League Division One
26 Dec 1955 Manchester United v Charlton Athletic W 5-1 League Division One
27 Dec 1955 Charlton Athletic v Manchester United L 3-0 League Division One
31 Dec 1955 Manchester United v Manchester City W 2-1 League Division One
07 Jan 1956 Bristol Rovers v Manchester United L 4-0 FA Cup 3rd round
14 Jan 1956 Manchester United v Sheffield United W 3-1 League Division One
21 Jan 1956 Preston North End v Manchester United L 3-1 League Division One
04 Feb 1956 Manchester United v Burnley W 2-0 League Division One
11 Feb 1956 Luton Town v Manchester United W 0-2 League Division One
18 Feb 1956 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United W 0-2 League Division One
25 Feb 1956 Manchester United v Aston Villa W 1-0 League Division One
03 Mar 1956 Chelsea v Manchester United W 2-4 League Division One
10 Mar 1956 Manchester United v Cardiff City D 1-1 League Division One
17 Mar 1956 Arsenal v Manchester United D 1-1 League Division One
24 Mar 1956 Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers W 1-0 League Division One
30 Mar 1956 Manchester United v Newcastle United W 5-2 League Division One
31 Mar 1956 Huddersfield Town v Manchester United W 0-2 League Division One
02 Apr 1956 Newcastle United v Manchester United D 0-0 League Division One
07 Apr 1956 Manchester United v Blackpool W 2-1 League Division One
14 Apr 1956 Sunderland v Manchester United D 2-2 League Division One
21 Apr 1956 Manchester United v Portsmouth W 1-0 League Division One
18 Aug 1956 Manchester United v Birmingham City D 2-2 League Division One
20 Aug 1956 Preston North End v Manchester United W 1-3 League Division One
25 Aug 1956 West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United W 2-3 League Division One
29 Aug 1956 Manchester United v Preston North End W 3-2 League Division One
01 Sep 1956 Manchester United v Portsmouth W 3-0 League Division One
05 Sep 1956 Chelsea v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
08 Sep 1956 Newcastle United v Manchester United D 1-1 League Division One
12 Sep 1956 Anderlecht v Manchester United W 0-2 European Cup Preliminary round 1st leg
15 Sep 1956 Manchester United v Sheffield Wednesday W 4-1 League Division One
22 Sep 1956 Manchester United v Manchester City W 2-0 League Division One
26 Sep 1956 Anderlecht v Manchester United W 0-10
Agg: 0-12
European Cup Preliminary round 2nd leg
29 Sep 1956 Arsenal v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
06 Oct 1956 Manchester United v Charlton Athletic W 4-2 League Division One
13 Oct 1956 Sunderland v Manchester United W 1-3 League Division One
17 Oct 1956 Borussia Dortmund v Manchester United W 2-3 European Cup 1st round 1st leg
20 Oct 1956 Manchester United v Everton L 2-5 League Division One
24 Oct 1956 Manchester City v Manchester United W 0-1 FA Charity Shield
03 Nov 1956 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers W 3-0 League Division One
10 Nov 1956 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United L 2-0 League Division One
17 Nov 1956 Manchester United v Leeds United W 3-2 League Division One
21 Nov 1956 Borussia Dortmund v Manchester United D 0-0
Agg: 2-3
European Cup 1st round 2nd leg
24 Nov 1956 Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United D 2-2 League Division One
01 Dec 1956 Manchester United v Luton Town W 3-1 League Division One
08 Dec 1956 Aston Villa v Manchester United W 1-3 League Division One
15 Dec 1956 Birmingham City v Manchester United L 3-1 League Division One
26 Dec 1956 Manchester United v Cardiff City W 3-1 League Division One
29 Dec 1956 Portsmouth v Manchester United W 1-3 League Division One
01 Jan 1957 Manchester United v Chelsea W 3-0 League Division One
05 Jan 1957 Hartlepools United v Manchester United W 3-4 FA Cup 3rd round
12 Jan 1957 Manchester United v Newcastle United W 6-1 League Division One
16 Jan 1957 Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United L 5-3 European Cup Quarter-final 1st leg
19 Jan 1957 Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester United L 2-1 League Division One
26 Jan 1957 Wrexham v Manchester United W 0-5 FA Cup 4th round
02 Feb 1957 Manchester City v Manchester United W 2-4 League Division One
06 Feb 1957 Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United W 0-3
Agg: 5-6
European Cup Quarter-final 2nd leg
09 Feb 1957 Manchester United v Arsenal W 6-2 League Division One
16 Feb 1957 Manchester United v Everton W 1-0 FA Cup 5th round
18 Feb 1957 Charlton Athletic v Manchester United W 1-5 League Division One
23 Feb 1957 Manchester United v Blackpool L 0-2 League Division One
02 Mar 1957 Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic v Manchester United W 1-2 FA Cup Quarter-final
06 Mar 1957 Everton v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
09 Mar 1957 Manchester United v Aston Villa D 1-1 League Division One
23 Mar 1957 Manchester United v Birmingham City W 2-0 FA Cup Semi-final
25 Mar 1957 Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers L 0-2 League Division One
30 Mar 1957 Leeds United v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
06 Apr 1957 Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur D 0-0 League Division One
11 Apr 1957 Real Madrid v Manchester United L 3-1 European Cup Semi-final 1st leg
13 Apr 1957 Luton Town v Manchester United W 0-2 League Division One
19 Apr 1957 Burnley v Manchester United W 1-3 League Division One
20 Apr 1957 Manchester United v Sunderland W 4-0 League Division One
22 Apr 1957 Manchester United v Burnley W 2-0 League Division One
25 Apr 1957 Manchester United v Real Madrid D 2-2
Agg: 3-5
European Cup Semi-final 2nd leg
27 Apr 1957 Cardiff City v Manchester United W 2-3 League Division One
04 May 1957 Aston Villa v Manchester United L 2-1 FA Cup Final
24 Aug 1957 Leicester City v Manchester United W 0-3 League Division One
28 Aug 1957 Manchester United v Everton W 3-0 League Division One
31 Aug 1957 Manchester United v Manchester City W 4-1 League Division One
04 Sep 1957 Everton v Manchester United D 3-3 League Division One
07 Sep 1957 Manchester United v Leeds United W 5-0 League Division One
09 Sep 1957 Blackpool v Manchester United W 1-4 League Division One
14 Sep 1957 Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United L 4-0 League Division One
18 Sep 1957 Manchester United v Blackpool L 1-2 League Division One
21 Sep 1957 Manchester United v Arsenal W 4-2 League Division One
25 Sep 1957 Shamrock Rovers v Manchester United W 0-6 European Cup Preliminary round 1st leg
28 Sep 1957 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United L 3-1 League Division One
02 Oct 1957 Manchester United v Shamrock Rovers W 3-2
Agg: 9-2
European Cup Preliminary round 2nd leg
05 Oct 1957 Manchester United v Aston Villa W 4-1 League Division One
12 Oct 1957 Nottingham Forest v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
19 Oct 1957 Manchester United v Portsmouth L 0-3 League Division One
22 Oct 1957 Manchester United v Aston Villa W 4-0 FA Charity Shield
26 Oct 1957 West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United L 4-3 League Division One
02 Nov 1957 Manchester United v Burnley W 1-0 League Division One
09 Nov 1957 Preston North End v Manchester United D 1-1 League Division One
16 Nov 1957 Manchester United v Sheffield Wednesday W 2-1 League Division One
20 Nov 1957 Manchester United v Dukla Praha W 3-0 European Cup 1st round 1st leg
23 Nov 1957 Newcastle United v Manchester United W 1-2 League Division One
04 Dec 1957 Dukla Praha v Manchester United L 1-0
Agg: 1-3
European Cup 1st round 2nd leg
07 Dec 1957 Birmingham City v Manchester United D 3-3 League Division One
14 Dec 1957 Manchester United v Chelsea L 0-1 League Division One
04 Oct 1958 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United L 4-0 League Division One


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Clean sheets Conceded Y R
1953-54 England B International 1 1
1953-54 England Under-23 1 1
1954-55 England British Home Championship 2 1 2
1955-56 England International Friendly 1 1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
20 Jan 1954 Italy v England L 3-0 Under-23
03 Mar 1954 England v Scotland D 1-1 B INTER
02 Oct 1954 Northern Ireland v England W 0-2 British Home Championship
10 Nov 1954 England v Wales W 3-2 British Home Championship
20 May 1956 Finland v England W 1-5 International Friendly


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.