Royden Wood

Royden Wood (16 October 1930 – 7 February 2023) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper, notably for Leeds United.[2]

Royden Wood
Personal information
Date of birth (1930-10-16)16 October 1930
Place of birth Wallasey, England
Date of death 7 February 2023(2023-02-07) (aged 92)
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Harrowby
1950–1951 New Brighton
1951–1952 Clitheroe
1952–1959 Leeds United 196 (0)
Total 196 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

Wood was born in Wallasey on 16 October 1930.[3] During World War Two, he served with the RAF in the Far East. Wood also played cricket.

Career

Having played for West Cheshire League side Harrowby as a youngster, Wood joined Football League Third Division North side New Brighton in the 1950–51 season, shortly before the club were expelled from the Football League. After holding multiple jobs in the North West of England, including loading lorries in Oxton in Birkenhead, he joined Lancashire Combination side Clitheroe in 1951, before being signed by Football League Second Division side Leeds United in May 1952.[2][4]

Wood made his debut for Leeds United on 24 October 1953 in a match against Derby County, and went on to make 203 appearances in total for the club, 116 of which came in the First Division, the top tier of English football, following Leeds' promotion in 1956. He retired in 1959 at the age of 28.[4]

Style of play

Wood played as a goalkeeper. He was known for his athleticism and acrobatic displays.[4][5]

Retirement and death

Following his retirement in 1959, Wood became the manager of a betting shop and was a member of Professional Footballers' Association management committee.[4][5]

Wood died in February 2023, at the age of 92.[6]

References
  1. "leeds-fans.org.uk: Leeds United Player Profile: Roy Wood". www.leeds-fans.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  2. Henderson, Jon (25 October 2018). "Stranger in the night who backed a hunch that led to goalkeeper Roy Wood becoming a Leeds United legend". www.bitebackpublishing.com. Biteback Publishing. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  3. "Royden Wood". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  4. Jarred, Martin; MacDonald, Malcolm (1986). Leeds United : a complete record 1919–1986. Derby: Breedon Books Sport. p. 348. ISBN 0-907969-17-8. OCLC 14977257.
  5. Boyd, John (29 November 2005). "BBC - Leeds - Sport - My all time eleven". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  6. "RIP Roy Wood (1930–2023)". Leeds United. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
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