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Arsenal signed the twenty-seven year old Scottish born goalkeeper George
Wood from Everton in the summer of 1980 as cover for Pat Jennings
following the departure of the previous understudy, Paul Barron, who had
moved to Crystal Palace as a supplement to the Clive Allen/Kenny Sansom
swap deal. Although Wood was acquired primarily as a deputy he actually
played more league games than Jennings in two of his three seasons at
Highbury. In his first season, 1980/81, he got an early call to action,
making his debut in a 1-2 defeat at Middlesbrough on 20 September 1980,
and he stayed in the side for the next twelve league and cup games until
Jennings return to full fitness and custody of the number one jersey.
The following season saw George make twenty-seven league and cup
appearances, in fact coming into the side just after a disappointing FA
Cup third round exit 0-1 at rivals Tottenham and keeping his place until
the end of the season as Arsenal, although never in serious contention
for the title, finished a respectable fifth.
George started 1982/83 as
number one and made thirty league and cup appearances in all. In early
September he made his European debut for the Gunners against Spartak
Moscow. Arsenal lost the first leg away 2-3, despite having been 2-0 up,
and were soundly beaten 2-5 at Highbury in the second leg, which saw
the visitors given a standing ovation at the final whistle, with George
reputedly blameless for all five clinically taken goals. He also figured
that season in the clu's biggest let down for three years. Playing at
Villa Park in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United Arsenal
let slip a 1-0 half-time lead to go down 1-2. The defeat was doubly
galling, as United had also knocked the Londoners out at the semi-final
stage of the Milk Cup two months earlier. In the summer of 1983 Wood
followed his predecessor, Barron, to Crystal Palace where he quickly
became established as first choice goalkeeper.
In all he made seventy
league and cup appearances over his three season Arsenal career, more
than he would have expected to make upon his arrival. Bringing a calm
assurance to Arsenal's defence it was Wood's misfortune that he just
missed the great Highbury Cup team of the late seventies and then left
before George Graham's trophy laden era a few years later. (David Fensome)
1970–1971 East Stirlingshire 43 (1)
1971–1977 Blackpool 117 (0)
1977–1980 Everton 103 (0)
1980–1983 Arsenal 60 (0)
1983–1987 Crystal Palace 192 (0)
1987–1990 Cardiff City 67 (0)
1989–1990 Blackpool (loan) 15 (0)
1990–1991 Hereford United 41 (0)
1991–1992 Merthyr Tydfil 32 (0)
1992–1997 Inter Cardiff 127 (0)
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