Busby Babe Ray Wood dies aged 71

FORMER Busby Babe Ray Wood has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 71.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jul 2002, 14:36 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:40 BST

Wood, who was a survivor of the Munich air crash in 1958, had lived in Bexhill for the last 20 years of an extraordinary life.

Goalkeeper Wood was born at Hebburn on June 11 1931 and went on to make 207 appearances for Manchester United, winning two League Championship medals and three England caps.

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He will perhaps be best remembered for the injury he suffered in the 1957 FA Cup Final against Aston Villa when he suffered a fractured cheekbone in a sickening clash with Peter McParland.

These were the days before substitutes so United had to play with ten men until Wood returned in the second half as a passenger on the right wing.

A Manchester United spokesman said: "We would like to pass on our condolences to Ray's family and friends."

Wood also played for Huddersfield, Barnsley and Bradford before successful coaching spells in America, Cyprus, the Middle East and Africa.

Related topics:Manchester UnitedBexhillEnglandHebburn