Ian Wright Age, Height, Wife & Biography

Ian Wright is an English former professional footballer who went from playing non-league football and working as a plasterer to becoming Arsenal’s record goalscorer. Born in Woolwich, London, in 1963, the striker was signed by Crystal Palace at the age of 21 and went on to score 185 goals in 288 appearances for Arsenal, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup. He won 33 caps for England and is now one of the most popular football pundits on British television.

Quick Facts

Who Is Ian Wright?

Ian Wright is one of the most loved figures in English football, a striker whose late start in the professional game makes his achievements all the more remarkable. He did not turn professional until he was 21, yet he went on to become Arsenal’s record goalscorer, a record he held until Thierry Henry passed him in 2005. At Arsenal he won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, the FA Cup and League Cup double in 1993 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

After retiring as a player in 2000, Wright became a hugely popular television presenter and pundit. He has been a regular on BBC’s Match of the Day for more than two decades, and he has also presented shows for ITV and Channel 4. His enthusiasm, honesty and humour have made him one of the best-known voices in British football, and in 2000 he was appointed MBE for his services to the game.

Early Life & Background

Ian Edward Wright was born on 3 November 1963 in Woolwich, London, and grew up in Brockley, South London. As a teenager he was rejected by professional clubs, including a trial at Southend United, and he played Sunday league football for local side Ten Em Bee while working as a plasterer. He continued playing in non-league football with Greenwich Borough, where his goalscoring soon attracted attention.

In August 1985, Crystal Palace signed Wright from Greenwich Borough, and he turned professional at the age of 21. He made his Palace debut in 1985 and quickly became a crowd favourite with his pace, his finishing and his joyful celebrations. In six seasons at Selhurst Park he scored more than 100 goals, and in the 1990 FA Cup final he came off the bench to score twice as Palace drew 3-3 with Manchester United, although United won the replay.

Career

Arsenal signed Wright in September 1991 for a club-record fee of 2.5 million pounds. He scored on his debut against Leicester City in the League Cup and went on to become one of the greatest strikers in the club’s history. In 1993 he won the FA Cup and League Cup double, and in 1994 he helped Arsenal win the European Cup Winners’ Cup, although he was suspended for the final itself. In his first season at the club he scored 26 goals in all competitions.

Wright passed Cliff Bastin’s long-standing record to become Arsenal’s all-time top scorer in September 1997, and in the 1997-98 season he won the Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsene Wenger’s team. He finished his Arsenal career with 185 goals in 288 appearances. He then had short spells at West Ham United, Nottingham Forest on loan, Celtic and Burnley, before retiring from football in 2000 at the age of 36.

For England, Wright made his debut in February 1991 against Cameroon and went on to win 33 caps, scoring nine goals. He was part of the England squad at Euro 1992 in Sweden. After retiring, he became one of the most popular football pundits on British television, a regular on BBC’s Match of the Day for more than two decades and a presenter on ITV’s football coverage. His sons Bradley and Shaun Wright-Phillips both became professional footballers.

Facts About Ian Wright

• He did not turn professional until the age of 21, when Crystal Palace signed him from Greenwich Borough.
• He scored 185 goals in 288 appearances for Arsenal, a club record he held until Thierry Henry passed him in 2005.
• He scored two goals as a substitute in the 1990 FA Cup final for Crystal Palace against Manchester United.
• He was appointed MBE in 2000 for his services to football.
• His sons Bradley and Shaun Wright-Phillips both became professional footballers.

Frequently Asked Questions