Ian Wright (defender)

"For the former Arsenal and England striker, see Ian Wright"Football player infobox
playername = Ian Wright
fullname = Ian Matthew Wright
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1972|3|10
cityofbirth = Lichfield
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=1
nickname = Wrighty
currentclub = Retired
clubnumber =
position = Centre back
years = 1990–1993
1992
1993–1996
1996–1998
1998–2003
2003–2004
2005–2006
2006–2007
clubs = Stoke City
→ Corby Town (loan)
Bristol Rovers
Hull City
Hereford United
Burton Albion
Hednesford Town
Chasetown
caps(goals) = 006 0(0)
00? 0(?)
054 0(1)
073 0(2)
171 (22)
022 0(2)
012 0(1)
009 0(0)
pcupdate = March 8, 2007

Ian Wright (born 10 March 1972 in Lichfield) is a retired English footballer who played as a central defender. He started his career at Stoke City and later played for Bristol Rovers and Hull City before dropping down into non-league football with Hereford United.

On his arrival at Edgar Street a £10 bet was placed by two supporters, at odds of 250-1, that he would score 30 goals in his first season as they thought Hereford had signed the former Arsenal and England striker. When they realised their mistake they asked for their money back, but the bookmakers refused to comply. They would have been better off staking that Wright would be Hereford's top scorer, as he went on to score nine goals in all competitions - more than any other Hereford player.

Wright became club captain and was a solid, first choice centre back through some of Hereford's most troubled times. He scored several vital goals for the club, including two in the 2001-02 FA Cup against Wrexham and Swindon. He played almost 200 competitive matches for the club, scoring almost 30 goals. He left in 2003, having trained as an electrician and wishing to play part-time. He joined Burton Albion, where he scored on his debut, until a persistent ankle injury forced him to retire. However a year later he was back in action as defensive cover at Hednesford Town.

Wright signed for Chasetown who currently play in the Southern League Division One Midlands but in February 2007 he announced his retirement from the game due to a serious injury to his cheekbone/eye socket which could have caused him blindness if he had carried on playing. [ [http://www.chasetownfc.com/Scripts/readarticle.asp?artid=101 Ian Wright forced to call it a day] Chasetown FC, 23 February 2007. Retrieved on 8 March 2007]

References