UEFA Coach, UEFA Player Agent, UEFA Ambassador.
Founder of Pro Player Pathway
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Ray has invested considerable personal resource into what it takes to make a professional footballer. The book covers not only what it takes to succeed in the precarious world of professional football but, through his educational background, Ray recognises and includes the development of the individual.
As a result, the book is a comprehensive Tour de Force of what is required to make it as a professional footballer. It is essential reading for parents whose children have the talent and appetite to try to make the grade.
Mark Palios
Owner of Tranmere Rovers FC
Ex Chief Executive of English FA
Mark Palios
Owner of Tranmere Rovers FC
Ex Chief Executive of English FA
John Barnes
Ex Professional Football Player
Liverpool
Colin Williams
Father
Grassroots Coach
“My friend Ray Wood has made this amazing book, the Pro Player Pathway that gives you the secret to becoming a professional.”
Check out The Raymond Wood Podcast for the full conversation.
John Barnes
Ex Professional Football Player
Liverpool
Mark Palios
Owner of Tranmere Rovers FC
Ex Chief Executive of English FA
John Barnes
Ex Professional Football Player
Liverpool
Colin Williams
Father
Grassroots Coach
I found Liam in late 2022 in Perth. He’d been told he wasn’t good enough for rep football—let alone the elite level in Australia.
With the support of his father and the structure of my Professional Player Pathway Program, Liam proved them wrong. After just nine months, he trialled in the UK and was immediately offered contracts from top academies. He now plays for Bolton Wanderers FC.
Recently, he joined the ranks of Michael Owen and Raheem Sterling by winning the English FA Schoolboys title with Liverpool.
Without the PPP program, he’d likely still be playing local football in Perth—listening to the wrong voices.
Colin Williams
Father
Grassroots Coach
Mark Palios
Owner of Tranmere Rovers FC
Ex Chief Executive of English FA
John Barnes
Ex Professional Football Player
Liverpool
Colin Williams
Father
Grassroots Coach
In his book, The Professional Player Pathway, Ray Wood has captured his extensive personal experience of modern British coaching and its journey from the archaic coaching system which saw British Football fall behind the fast-developing quality of European Football in the late 20th century.
Ray has invested considerable personal resource into what it takes to make a professional footballer. The book covers not only what it takes to succeed in the precarious world of professional football but, through his educational background, Ray recognises and includes the development of the individual.
As a result, the book is a comprehensive Tour de Force of what is required to make it as a professional footballer. It is essential reading for parents whose children have the talent and appetite to try to make the grade.
Mark Palios
Owner of Tranmere Rovers FC
Ex Chief Executive of English FA
Mark Palios
Owner of Tranmere Rovers FC
Ex Chief Executive of English FA
John Barnes
Ex Professional Football Player
Liverpool
Colin Williams
Father
Grassroots Coach
The Boy from Anfield,
The Man with the Blueprint.
Grounded Beginnings
Raymond Wood grew up in Anfield, Liverpool, with football in his blood and community in his heart. Raised in a working-class family, his early years were shaped by discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose. From suburban pitches to structured academies, his journey was built on hard work and a quiet determination to be more than just another name in the system.
A Mind for Growth
While many chased spotlight moments, Raymond focused on long-term progression—both his own and others’. With a natural ability to analyse performance and unlock potential, he quickly earned a reputation as someone who not only understood the game, but understood people. For Raymond, it’s not just about who shines now but who can be developed to shine tomorrow.
Why He Shows Up
Today, Raymond’s work is grounded in helping young players find their path with confidence and clarity. He’s not in it for the flash or the fame. He’s here for the future of football—real players, real growth, real results. His story is one of grit, integrity, and a belief that the right guidance can change everything.
"Because every child deserves a shot at greatness"
Raymond played a pivotal role in the English FA’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) — a £1.93 billion initiative aimed at developing world-class footballers. Leveraging this experience, PPP utilizes proprietary performance data to tailor training programs that address:
Physical Development
Tactical Understanding
Psychological Resilience
Social Adaptability
With PPP, we’re not just teaching football.
We’re providing children worldwide with a real chance to become elite athletes-breaking down financial and geographical barriers.
Access to UK/EU Trials
Comprehensive 12 Month Training
UEFA Agent Representation
Pro Player Pathway Book
Raymond's Mission
Football is more than a game… it’s a journey. But the focus shouldn’t just be on finding stars, it should be on developing them. Raymond Wood is here to make that happen.
With world-class qualifications and international experience, Raymond’s mission is to push for an inclusive, development-focused future for Football. To help players, coaches, and fans see beyond highlights, and into the soul of the game.
The Raymond Wood Podcast
In a world obsessed with stats and headlines, Raymond Wood sits down with athletes to talk about everything they don’t put on the highlight reel.
From the locker room to the comeback trail, The Raymond Wood Podcast dives deep into the stories, struggles, and defining moments that shape greatness. Across football, combat sports, athletics, and beyond.
No hype. No filters. Just honest talks with the people who’ve lived it.
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Got a question, a story, or something worth talking about? Whether you’re media, a coach, or just someone who cares about the game, reach out today!