Ian Wright (footballer, born 1972)

Ian Matthew Wright (born 10 March 1972) is an English former footballer [2] 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.[1]

Ian Wright
Personal information
Full name Ian Matthew Wright[1]
Date of birth (1972-03-10) 10 March 1972[1]
Place of birth Lichfield, England[1]
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1988–1990 Stoke City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1993 Stoke City 6 (0)
1992Corby Town (loan)
1993–1996 Bristol Rovers 54 (1)
1996–1998 Hull City 73 (2)
1998–2003 Hereford United 171 (22)
2003–2004 Burton Albion 22 (2)
2005–2006 Hednesford Town 12 (1)
2006–2007 Chasetown 9 (0)
Total 347 (28)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Wright started his career at Second Division side Stoke City's youth team. He passed through the youth ranks at City and was handed a professional contract with the club in 1990.[1] He made his debut against Swindon Town on the final day of the 1989–90 season with Stoke already relegated to the Third Division.[1] He struggled to establish himself in the first team and joined non-league Corby Town in 1992. He made just nine appearances for The "Potters" before he was released in 1993.[1] He joined Bristol Rovers and spent three years with The "Pirates" and then joined Hull City in 1996. At Hull he became a regular in the side and made 73 league appearances.[1] He is also remembered at Hull for scoring a crucial goal as they knocked Premier League side Crystal Palace out of the 1997–98 League Cup.[3]

Wright joined Hereford United in 1998 and 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 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.[4]

Career statistics

Source:[5]

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke City 1989–90 Second Division 1000000010
1990–91 Third Division 1000000010
1991–92 Third Division 3000100040
1992–93 Second Division 1000101030
Total 6000201090
Bristol Rovers 1993–94 Second Division 290100030330
1994–95 Second Division 7100001081
1995–96 Second Division 180102020210
Total 541102060631
Hull City 1996–97 Third Division 400302021471
1997–98 Third Division 332105110403
Total 732407131874
Hereford United 1998–99 Football Conference 1100000011
1999–2000 Football Conference 336400010386
2000–01 Football Conference 343000051394
2001–02 Football Conference 374220000396
2002–03 Football Conference 281100000291
Total 1331570006114616
Burton Albion 2003–04 Football Conference 192000000192
2004–05 Conference National 1000000010
Total 202000000202
Career Total 2862012011110132523
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League Trophy.

References

  1. Lowe, Simon (2000). Stoke City The Modern Era – A Complete Record. Desert Island Books. ISBN 1-874287-39-2.
  2. SoccerBase Database retrieved December 2017
  3. "Hull City reign at the Palace". irishtimes.com. 1 October 1997. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  4. Ian Wright forced to call it a day Chasetown FC, 23 February 2007. Retrieved on 8 March 2007
  5. Ian Wright at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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