Right-winger Ray Woods was signed by Terry Butcher for £200,000 from Wigan Athletic soon after starring against the Sky Blues in an FA Cup tie in 1991. Ray had been released by Tranmere as a teenager, and had been round the Northern non-league scene with Bangor City, Northwich Victoria, Runcorn, Caernarfon Town and Colne Dynamoes. His former Tranmere boss, Bryan Hamilton recommended him to Wigan Athletic, and weeks later was made manager.

He made his debut in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace and set up a goal for Brian Kilcline the first of five home wins in a row and City pulled away from the foot of the table to finish well away from relegation.

The following season Ray’s injury problems started. He played only ten games before suffering a troublesome groin injury, which eventually needed surgery to repair damage to his stomach. When he was fit Bobby Gould had taken over as manager and Ray felt Gould never game him a chance despite working hard in training and getting good reports in reserve games. It later transpired that if he had played two more games it would have triggered a further £50,000 payment to Wigan and Gould and Phil Neal were under orders not to play him.

In 1994 he joined Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer and played almost 70 appearances in two seasons at Gay Meadow including a memorable Cup game against Liverpool.

After leaving Shrewsbury he played non-league soccer with Telford United and Worcester City. He went back to Worcester in 2001, setting up the club’s impressive youth scheme which has already produced two first team players.