| Position: Goalkeeper Born: Hebburn, County Durham, 11 June 1931 Previous club: Darlington Transfer fee: £5000 Debut: Newcastle United (H), 3 December 1949 |
Signed from Darlington in 1949-50, Ray Wood often saved United's bacon, not least in the first round European Cup clash with Borussia Dortmund last season. United took a slender 3-2 lead to Germany, and it was only thanks to Wood's outstanding performance that his goal survived intact under wave after wave of German pressure. United earned a 0-0 draw and progressed to the second round.
Wood, rumoured to live on a diet of tea and cigarettes, has a reputation as a shot-stopper that is second to none. However, his handling of crosses has sometimes let him down, and he has been replaced as first choice 'keeper this season by Harry Gregg.
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