26 Facts About Chris Woods

Christopher Charles Eric Woods was born on 14 November 1959 and is an English football coach and former professional footballer, who is goalkeeping coach for the Scotland national team.

Chris Woods played in the Scottish Football League for Rangers and in Major League Soccer for the Colorado Rapids.

Chris Woods was an England international and was largely Peter Shilton's long-time understudy in the England team in the mid to late 1980s, finally claiming the number one shirt for himself after the 1990 World Cup.

Chris Woods was most recently coaching at West Ham United.

When 17 years old, Chris Woods joined Nottingham Forest as an apprentice in 1976, initially as back-up for John Middleton, then Peter Shilton.

Chris Woods won a second division championship medal the year after.

Chris Woods was part of an influx of English talent brought in by Souness, which included Terry Butcher and Graham Roberts.

Chris Woods won a Scottish Premier Division title and a Scottish League Cup medal in his first season.

Chris Woods missed half the season with an infection that affected his balance and vision.

Chris Woods then returned to England for spells at Sunderland and Burnley.

Chris Woods debuted in a friendly against the USA in Los Angeles on 16 June 1985 while a Norwich City player.

Chris Woods was rarely left out of an England squad again over the next five years.

Chris Woods went to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico but did not play.

Chris Woods came on as a substitute for Shilton twice in 1987 and started two matches: a European Championships qualifier against Turkey and a goalless draw against Scotland at Hampden Park in the Rous Cup.

However, Chris Woods was still regarded by Robson as his primary understudy for Shilton, who had, by now, earned his 100th cap and was about to break Bobby Moore's record of 108.

Also on the scene was Dave Beasant, who won two caps as a sub as Robson checked out other goalkeepers, but Chris Woods remained Robson's first choice if ever Shilton was unable to play.

Chris Woods did not play in the World Cup, Robson choosing to keep Shilton in the side for his 125th and final cap for England in the third place play-off match against Italy after their semi-final defeat.

Chris Woods went to the 1992 European Championships as England's first-choice keeper and kept clean sheets in his first two matches against Denmark and France.

Chris Woods stayed in the side the following year as England stuttered in their qualification campaign for the 1994 World Cup.

Chris Woods' 43-cap international career ended where it began, with a game against the US, although he was an unused substitute for the following four internationals.

Chris Woods took up a coaching position under Walter Smith at Everton in 1998, where he was tasked with the development of the club's goalkeepers.

In July 2013 Chris Woods left Everton to take the goalkeeping coach position at Manchester United, following the same move by first team manager David Moyes.

Chris Woods retained his position when Moyes was sacked, in April 2014, but was replaced by Frans Hoek, when Moyes' permanent successor, Louis van Gaal, was appointed.

Chris Woods left the role in May 2018 following the appointment of new manager, Manuel Pellegrini.

Parallel to being a club coach, in 2011 Chris Woods was employed by the United States national team, linking up with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Chris Woods took a similar position with the Scotland national team in August 2021.