Wood Alf Image 1 Coventry City 1947

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Aldridge, Staffordshire born goalkeeper Alf Wood began his football career with Sutton Town in 1934 and Nuneaton Town in 1935 before joining Coventry City in December 1935, at the age of 20. After making his Football League debut against Swansea Town in February 1938, he only played once more before the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. During the War Wood developed spinal meningitis and was told his footballing days were over, but he managed to prove the doctors wrong made 96 wartime appearances for The Sky Blues.

Between August 1945 and May 1951 he played 211 consecutive games being an ever present four seasons in a row. In December 1951, after 230 peacetime appearances for Coventry City, he joined Northampton Town on a free transfer making 146 appearances for The Cobblers through to the end of the 1954-55 season, being ever present in two of his three full seasons. He returned to Highfield Road as a coach in 1955, but was forced to play 16 games further games for the now Third Division (South) club due to injury to incumbent Jim Sanders. The last of his appearances came against Plymouth Argyle on 6th December 1958, he became the oldest player to turn out for Coventry, aged 43 years and 207 days. He left the club when Jimmy Hill was appointed manager in November 1961.

Wood was appointed a coach at Third Division Walsall in October 1963, and took up the management reins at Fellows Park the following month. He signed talented striker Allan Clarke, but was sacked in October 1964. He then returned to Coventry, and managed the Massey Ferguson works team.