George Wood (footballer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Wood (born 26 September 1952 in Douglas, South Lanarkshire) is a Scottish former football goalkeeper.

He started his career at East Stirling, moving to Blackpool in 1972, for £10,000, as cover for John Burridge. After spending time in the Reserves, Wood made his debut on April 15, 1972, in a 2-0 home victory over Oxford United. He then spent the next four years jostling for the No. 1 jersey with Burridge, eventually establishing himself in 1975-76.^[1]

At the end of the 1976-77 season, he was signed by First Division Everton in 1977. He was Everton's first-choice goalkeeper for the next three seasons, making over 120 appearances and making his debut for Scotland, against Northern Ireland on May 22, 1979.

Wood was signed by Arsenal in August 1980 for £140,000, earmarked as the successor to Pat Jennings, with whom he shared the first-team goalkeeper's spot for the next three seasons, making 61 appearances in goal for Arsenal. However, Jennings' longevity counted against Wood and he was unable to supplant the Irish veteran; Wood was given a free transfer in May 1983. He joined Crystal Palace and was their first choice keeper for the next four-and-a-half seasons, making 192 league appearances, and winning the "Player of The Year" award in 1986.

Wood joined Cardiff City in January 1988, where he made 67 league appearances, and ended his league career with a loan spell at his old club Blackpool in 1989, and a single season at Hereford United in 1990-91. He then had stints at non-league Merthyr Tydfil and Inter Cardiff (a side he later managed).

Wood's international career was only fleeting, with first Alan Rough and then later Jim Leighton keeping him out of the side. He earned four caps for Scotland between 1979 and 1982, the last coming against Northern Ireland on April 28, 1982, and he was a backup goalkeeper at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

He is currently the goalkeeper coach at Hartlepool United

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Calley, Roy (1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992, p.126. Breedon Books.

[edit] References

• Soar, Phil & Tyler, Martin (2005). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. Hamlyn. ISBN 0-600-61344-5. 

v • d • e Scotland squad - 1982 FIFA World Cup 1 Rough • 2 McGrain • 3 Gray • 4 Souness • 5 Hansen • 6 Miller • 7 Strachan • 8 Dalglish • 9 Brazil • 10 Wark • 11 Robertson • 12 Wood • 13 McLeish • 14 Narey • 15 Jordan • 16 Hartford • 17 Evans • 18 Archibald • 19 Sturrock • 20 Provan • 21 Burley • 22 Leighton • Coach: Stein

[edit] External links

• Career stats