Ian Wright

Ian Edward Wright{{Hugman|21757|access-date=13 March 2017}} was born to Jamaican parents in the Woolwich area of London on 3 November 1963.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/ian-wright-2700/ |title=Ian Wright |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=24 March 2020}} He has two older brothers.{{cite news |last=Arlidge |first=John |date=13 January 2002 |title=Is this Mr Right? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jan/13/sport.comment5 |newspaper=Guardian }} His father was absent and he was brought up by his mother, Nesta, and a stepfather who was abusive.{{cite web |title=Earning My Smile - By Ian Wright |url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/ian-wright-earning-my-smile |website=The Players' Tribune |date=26 November 2018 |access-date=27 November 2018 |language=en}} He is a cousin of fellow footballer Jermaine Wright{{cite news|title=FA Set to Bring in Howe|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fa-set-to-bring-in-howe-1388512.html|website=Independent|date=24 December 1994}} and actor Patrick Robinson,Kirk, Tristan: [http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1718847.mostviewed.stars_play_for_charity.php Stars play for charity], Harrow Times, 27 September 2007 and the uncle of fellow footballer Drey Wright.

Wright came to professional football relatively late. Despite having had trials at Southend United and Brighton & Hove Albion during his teens, he was unable to attract sufficient interest to win a professional contract offer. Reverting to playing for amateur and non-League teams, he was left disillusioned about his chances of a career as a professional footballer. After a spell of poverty during which his wife was expecting their first child, Wright spent 32 days in Chelmsford Prison for failing to pay fines for driving without tax or insurance. He recalls that after being locked in the cell, he burst into tears and vowed to God to do everything in his power to make it as a footballer.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2014-03-10/watch-ian-wright-nothing-to-something-on-itv4/ |title=Watch Ian Wright: Nothing to something on ITV4 | Football - ITV Sport |access-date=1 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407132107/http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2014-03-10/watch-ian-wright-nothing-to-something-on-itv4/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 }}{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2007/aug/05/features.magazine57 | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Michael | last=Odell | title=Ian Wright | date=5 August 2007}}

Wright described his school teacher Sydney Pigden, who taught him to read and write, as "the first positive male figure" in his life.{{cite news|title=Sydney Pigden, inspirational teacher – obituary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2018/03/09/sydney-pigden-inspirational-teacher-obituary/|access-date=7 October 2018|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=9 March 2018}} Having been incorrectly told that Pigden had died and believing it for many years, Wright and his former mentor were reunited in a 2005 episode of the BBC series With a Little Help From My Friends,{{Citation |title=With a Little Help from My Friends |date=2004-01-08 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0396394/?ref_=tt_ch |access-date=2024-05-05 |others=Jamie Theakston, Linda Barker, Vinnie Jones |publisher=Yorkshire Television (YTV)}} with the clip of Wright crying and hugging Pigden often going viral years later.{{cite web | url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=VplePNEU2PI | title=Ian Wright tearfully remembers childhood teacher | website=YouTube | date=17 February 2020 }} Growing up, Wright had an affinity for several London clubs. In his autobiography, he describes Millwall as "the first football team [he] fell in love with" and writes that he "genuinely had loved West Ham" since he was young, with their kit being the first he owned.{{Cite book |last=Wright |first=Ian |title=A Life in Football: My Autobiography |publisher=Constable |year=2016 |isbn=978-1472123589 |pages=143, 153}} He also had an early connection with Arsenal as he was close friends with club legend David Rocastle.

From being a teenager, until the age of 21, Wright played for Lewisham-based amateur Sunday league club Ten-em-Bee (a club his sons Brett and Shaun also later played for) becoming the top scorer in the London and Kent Border Sunday League.{{cite web|url= https://www.tenembee.org.uk/news/ian-wright-discussing-his-football-journey-2551253.html |title= IAN WRIGHT DISCUSSING HIS FOOTBALL JOURNEY|date=19 July 2020|website= www.tenembee.org |author=Paul Palmer }}{{cite web|url=https://members.tripod.com/soccer_maneger/index-11.html|title=Career of Ian Wright|work=tripod.com|date= }} In 1985 Wright was signed by semi-professional Greenwich Borough and got paid £30 a week.{{Cite web |title=Ian Wright Profile |url=https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/ian-wright |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=PlanetSport |language=en}}

After six or seven matches at Greenwich, Wright was spotted by a Crystal Palace scout after a tip-off from Dulwich Hamlet manager Billy Smith and was invited for a trial at Selhurst Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/picturegalleries/11242897/The-stories-behind-12-great-Premier-League-scouting-jobs.html?frame=3112777|title=The stories behind 12 great Premier League scouting jobs|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 November 2014 }} Having impressed then-manager Steve Coppell, he signed a professional contract with Palace in August 1985, just three months short of his 22nd birthday, the agreed fee being a set of weightlifting equipment.

He quickly made his mark in his first season, scoring nine goals to finish as Palace's second-highest scorer. When Mark Bright arrived on the Palace scene the following year the duo soon established a successful striking partnership and it was largely their goals which took the club back to the top flight via the playoffs in 1989. Wright was particularly instrumental that season, scoring 24 goals in the Second Division and a total of 33 in all competitions.{{cite web |url=http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=4424 |title=1988/89 revisited – Crystal Palace FC Supporters' Website – The Holmesdale Online |publisher=Holmesdale.net |date=26 July 2009 |access-date=30 April 2012}}

Wright was called up for England B duty in December 1989 but a twice-cracked shin bone reduced his initial impact in the First Division. However, after recovering from the injury he made a dramatic appearance as a 'super-sub', in the 1990 FA Cup Final against Manchester United.{{cite web |url=http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1990.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218231219/http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1990.htm |archive-date=18 December 2010 |title=1990 FA Cup Final |publisher= www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk |access-date=11 October 2013}} He equalised for Palace a few minutes after coming onto the field forcing extra time, then putting them ahead in extra time. The eventual score was 3–3, but Palace lost the replay 1–0.

The next season, he gained full international honours, and reached a hundred goals for Crystal Palace,{{cite web|url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/PalaceLegendsU-Z/0,,10323~648768,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613223446/http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/PalaceLegendsU-Z/0%2C%2C10323~648768%2C00.html |archive-date=13 June 2012 |title=Crystal Palace | Club | Palace Legends | Palace Legends | Ian Wright |publisher=Crystal Palace FC |access-date=11 October 2013 |url-status=dead}} as the club finished in their highest ever league position of third place in the top flight. He also scored twice as Palace beat Everton to win the Full Members Cup at Wembley. Wright became renowned for his deadly striking ability, as shown when he scored a hat-trick in just eighteen minutes in Palace's penultimate game of the 1990–91 season away to Wimbledon.

Wright scored 117 goals in 253 starts and 24 substitute appearances over six seasons for The Eagles in all competitions, making him the club's record post-war goalscorer and third on the all-time list.{{cite web|url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/History/0,,10323~638534,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308211806/http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/History/0%2C%2C10323~638534%2C00.html |archive-date=8 March 2012 |title=Goalscorers |date=13 May 2010 |publisher=Crystal Palace FC |access-date=11 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}

In 2005, he was voted into their Centenary XI and was named as their "Player of The Century".{{cite web|url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/Announcements/0,,10323~829293,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206051459/http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/Announcements/0%2C%2C10323~829293%2C00.html |archive-date=6 December 2010 |title=Player of the Year Awards |date=16 May 2006 |publisher=Crystal Palace FC |access-date=11 October 2013 |url-status=dead}} In December 2023, during an appearance on The Overlap YouTube channel hosted by Gary Neville, Wright revealed he was bullied by teammate Jim Cannon until Cannon's departure from the club in 1988. Wright voiced his experiences with Cannon at the time to Coppell, which included Cannon berating Wright for eating communal food and Cannon "two-foot jumping [Wright]" in the back after he scored past Cannon during a training session. Cannon later disputed parts of Wright's account but admitted to giving him "a little slap".{{Cite web|last=Muro|first=Giuseppe|date=2017-11-17|title=Ian Wright exclusive: Bullying is not 'banter'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/ian-wright-i-was-bullied-as-a-kid-and-at-crystal-palace-its-not-banter-a3694131.html|access-date=2021-07-05|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en}}{{cite web |title=United's Press Leaks, Pep Lashes Out & Being Late! Stick to Football EP 9 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgaHmp7jMMw&t=2672s |website=youtube.com | date=7 December 2023 |publisher=The Overlap |access-date=7 December 2023}}

Wright signed for Arsenal in September 1991 for £2.5m, which at the time was a club record fee. He scored on his debut against Leicester City in a League Cup tie, produced a hat-trick on his league debut against Southampton, and in the final match of the season, scored another hat-trick against the Saints to take his total to 31 goals in all competitions.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/ian-wright-2700/ |title=Ian Wright: Club stats |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=8 October 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/arsenal-fc/ian-wright-7182/premiership-appearances-for-the-gunners_a19154/ |title=Ian Wright: Arsenal FC |website=Sporting Heroes |access-date=8 October 2017}} Wright's 29 league goals (24 for Arsenal, 5 for Palace) were enough to make him the league's top scorer.{{cite web |title=English League Leading Goalscorers 1889–2007 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engtops.html |first=James M. |last=Ross |date=8 June 2017 |website=RSSSF |access-date=8 October 2017}} {{As of|2017|alt=As of 2016–17}}, only Wright and Teddy Sheringham have led the top-flight scoring charts having scored for two clubs during the season in question.

Wright went on to be the club's top scorer for six seasons in a row. He played a major part in the club's success during the 1990s, winning an FA Cup and League Cup double in 1993; scoring in both the FA Cup Final itself and the replay against Sheffield Wednesday. Wright also helped Arsenal reach the 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup Final, although he was suspended for the final in which Arsenal beat Parma 1–0.

{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote=Behind every great goalkeeper there's a ball from Ian Wright. |source=—Nike slogan which appeared on billboards throughout England in the mid 1990s.{{cite news |title=Seven classic Nike football billboards: Eric Cantona, Arsenal, Paolo Maldini… |url=https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/seven-classic-nike-football-billboards-eric-cantona-arsenal-paolo-maldini/ |access-date=18 August 2019 |work=Planet Football}}}}

Wright scored in every round but the final of Arsenal's 1995 Cup Winners' Cup runners-up campaign, and scored freely in the Premier League, but it was a difficult time for Arsenal following the dismissal of manager George Graham over illegal payments, and under caretaker Stewart Houston they could only manage a 12th-place finish in the league.

The arrival of Bruce Rioch led to a bleaker time; the two did not get on, resulting in heated arguments in training, with Rioch berating Wright at half-time of a 5–0 pre-season victory over St Albans City (in which Wright scored). It caused Wright to hand in a transfer request, which he later retracted. The arrival of Dennis Bergkamp brought a brief but fruitful striking partnership: in their first season together, they helped Arsenal finish fifth in the league and qualify for the UEFA Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec199697.html |title=European Competitions 1996–97 |first=James M. |last=Ross |date=4 June 2015 |website=RSSSF |access-date=8 October 2017}} They also reached the League Cup semi-finals, which they lost on away goals to eventual winners Aston Villa.{{cite web |url=http://fchd.info/ARSENAL.HTM |title=Arsenal |website=Football Club History Database |publisher=Richard Rundle |access-date=8 October 2017}}

By the time Arsène Wenger arrived at Arsenal in September 1996, Wright was nearly 33. Despite his age, he continued to score regularly, and was the second-highest Premier League scorer in the 1996–97 season with 23 goals. That season he also set a record by scoring against 17 of Arsenal's 19 opponents, a record for a 20 team Premier League season; scoring against every team but Sunderland and Manchester United.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12038/7440185/home-and-away|title=Home and away |publisher=Sky Sports |date=19 January 2012 |access-date=5 January 2018}} However this was equalled by Robin van Persie in 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/04/12/3031003/van-persie-scores-against-17-premier-league-opponents-in-one|title=Van Persie scores against 17 Premier League opponents in one season to match record set by Arsenal legend Ian Wright|publisher=goal.com |access-date=5 January 2018}} On 13 September 1997, he broke Cliff Bastin's club record to become Arsenal's then-all-time top scorer with a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers, and his memorable goal celebration saw him reveal a shirt with "Just Done It" written on it.{{Cite journal|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ggm-22-wright-breaks-bastin-s-goals-record|title=GGM 22: Wright breaks Bastin's goals record|journal=Arsenal|date=30 July 2007|access-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519225257/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ggm-22-wright-breaks-bastin-s-goals-record|archive-date=19 May 2017|url-status=dead}}

Wright's final goal at Highbury, on 4 October against Barnsley, was his 300th career goal for both Crystal Palace and Arsenal.{{Soccerbase season|8718|1997|access-date=8 October 2017}} He scored his final goal for the club on 6 January 1998 in a League Cup quarter-final victory against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground. A hamstring injury ruled him out for much of the remainder of the season. In his absence, Arsenal were eliminated in the semi-final by Chelsea,{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-v-chelsea-a-league-cup-record |title=Arsenal v Chelsea – A League Cup record | News Archive | News |publisher=Arsenal.com |date=1 February 2007 |access-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010152737/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-v-chelsea-a-league-cup-record |archive-date=10 October 2012}} ending their hopes of a domestic treble. He was an unused substitute as Arsenal won the 1998 FA Cup Final, and lifted his first Premier League title as the Gunners completed a league and cup double.

Wright scored 185 goals from 288 appearances (279 starts) for Arsenal, and scored eleven hat-tricks for them, a total surpassed only by Jimmy Brain and Jack Lambert.{{cite web|url=http://www.thearsenalhistory.com/?p=14216|title = Arsenal's Hat-trick Heroes| work=The Arsenal History |date = 12 December 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/751/ian-wright |title=Ian Wright |website=Arsenal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226091034/http://www.arsenal.com/history/profiles/751/ian-wright |archive-date=26 February 2012}} {{As of|2017|alt=As of the 2022–23 season}}, he is Arsenal's second highest goalscorer of all time, behind Thierry Henry who broke his record in 2005. Wright placed fourth in a 2008 poll of fans conducted on the club's website to select their 50 greatest players.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/history/gunners-greatest-players-no-4.-ian-wright|title=Greatest 50 Players - 4. Ian Wright|website=Arsenal.com|date=7 January 2024 }}

In July 1998, Wright moved to West Ham United for £500,000. He spent fifteen months as a West Ham player, scoring the winner on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-the-hero-in-an-instant-1171977.html|title=Wright the hero in an instant|work=The Independent|date=16 August 1998|access-date=5 September 2012|location=London|first=Phil|last=Andrews}} without reaching the same form he had at Arsenal. During his spell there he made headlines when he vandalised the referee's dressing room at Upton Park after being sent off during a match against Leeds United.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/336378.stm|title=Football | Players lose the plot|work=BBC News|date=5 May 1999|access-date=16 September 2010}} He had subsequent short spells at Nottingham Forest, Celtic, and Burnley (whom he helped to promotion to Division One){{cite web |url=http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/club/history/ |title=History |publisher=Burnley Football Club |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=11 October 2013 |archive-date=5 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805131540/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/club/history/ |url-status=dead }} before retiring in 2000.

Whilst at Celtic, Wright became involved in a campaign by some fans calling for the removal of manager, John Barnes. Celtic's performances had been poor and Wright, Barnes and Regi Blinker were considered by some to be not sufficiently talented to improve the club. Wright and Blinker were consequently abused by some Celtic fans. Wright said of the incidents, "I felt I was caught up in a war crisis in Kosovo not involved in a football result that wrecked John Barnes' career as Celtic manager. Some so-called fans, a few morons who know nothing better, covered my car in spit, they were shouting obscenities at myself and Regi Blinker."{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/643498.stm | title=Wright condemns Barnes lynch mob | work=BBC News | date=15 February 2000 | access-date=13 March 2014}} Wright scored on his debut for Celtic as he had for Nottingham Forest.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/aug/28/match.sport3|title=Wright ending escapes Forest|work=The Guardian|date=28 August 1999|access-date=5 September 2012|location=London|first=John|last=Lawson}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/scottish_premier/495570.stm|title=Viduka eclipses new-boy Wright |publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 October 1999 |access-date=5 September 2012}} He finished his club career with 313 goals in all competitions.

Wright was overlooked for the 1990 World Cup but was handed his England debut by manager Graham Taylor in February 1991.

He started in the 2–0 victory against Cameroon at Wembley and helped England reach the finals of Euro 1992 in Sweden.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfc.com/Profiles/php/PlayerProfileByName.php?id=1098 |title=England Player Profile – Ian Wright |publisher=Englandfc.com |access-date=19 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817094602/http://www.englandfc.com/Profiles/php/PlayerProfileByName.php?id=1098 |archive-date=17 August 2010}} Despite the fact that his international career spanned eight years, 87 matches and three full-time managers, he only started 17 times and was a used substitute in 16 matches.

In each of the seven seasons that followed the 1990 World Cup, Wright never scored fewer than 23 goals a season for his club.{{Cite web |date=2015-09-05 |title=San Marino 1-7 England 1993: Where are they now? |url=https://www.shoot.co.uk/san-marino-1-7-england-1993-where-are-they-now/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Shoot |language=en}} He scored 25 goals for Crystal Palace during the 1990–91 campaign

before going on to break the 30 club-goal barrier five times in the following six seasons.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} Despite Wright's goalscoring feats, the highest number of games he started for England consecutively was three—something he only did twice.

Taylor, who became England manager after the 1990 World Cup in Italy and remained in charge for 38 matches, only handed Wright nine starts and seven substitute appearances. He opted instead to use a whole host of less prolific strikers, including Nigel Clough of Nottingham Forest, Paul Stewart of Tottenham Hotspur, David Hirst of Sheffield Wednesday and Brian Deane of Sheffield United. Wright did not make it into the squad for Euro 1992, with Clough, Gary Lineker of Tottenham Hotspur, Alan Shearer of Southampton and Arsenal teammates Alan Smith and Paul Merson preferred. This was particularly surprising as Wright had been the highest top division goalscorer in England that season.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpEC/CmpEC1992Squad.html|title=European Championship 1992 Final Tournament 10–26 June in Sweden |access-date=19 September 2010}}

Five of Wright's nine international goals were scored under Taylor's management; these included a vital late equaliser in a 1–1 away draw against Poland in May 1993{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfc.com/nostal/yrbyyr/1990_1994.html |title=England Match Details 1990–1994 |publisher=Englandfc.com |access-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612111819/http://www.englandfc.com/nostal/yrbyyr/1990_1994.html |archive-date=12 June 2010}} and four goals in the 7–1 away win against San Marino in Bologna, Italy, in November 1993, the final match of Taylor's reign as manager.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/teammgr/Mgr_TaylorG.html |title=England's Coaches/Managers – Graham Taylor |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |access-date=16 September 2010}} Both matches were qualifiers for the 1994 World Cup in the US, for which England failed to qualify - missing out for the first time since 1978.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/cmpwc/CmpWCTmHist.html |title=England's World Cup History |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |date=27 June 2010 |access-date=16 September 2010}}

Terry Venables replaced Taylor as manager after the unsuccessful 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/teammgr/Index.html |title=England's Managers – Index |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |access-date=16 September 2010}} but Wright's appearances in the side became even more limited. Despite featuring in four of the first five matches under Venables, albeit three times as a substitute,{{Englandstats|ref=y|access-date=16 April 2015}} Wright never played under his management again. Ultimately, it cost Wright a place in the squad for Euro 1996, where England reached the semi-finals as the host nation.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_eng_v_ger96.html |title=England 1 Germany 1 |publisher=Englandfc.com |access-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828185942/http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_eng_v_ger96.html |archive-date=28 August 2010}} Venables vacated his position as England manager after the tournament and was replaced by Glenn Hoddle.

After being absent from international football for 21 consecutive matches, Wright was recalled to the England team by Hoddle in November 1996 when he came off the bench in a 2–0 1998 World Cup qualifying victory in Georgia.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_georg_v_eng96.html |title=Georgia 0 England 2 |publisher=Englandfc.com |access-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105132224/http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_georg_v_eng96.html |archive-date=5 November 2010}} It had been over two years since Wright had made his previous England appearance in October 1994.

Four of Wright's nine international goals were scored under Hoddle's management, including the winner in a 2–1 friendly win against South Africa at Old Trafford in May 1997,{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/cmpfr/CmpFrTmMatches1990.html |title=England's Friendly Matches – Seasons 1990–91 to 1999–00 |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |access-date=16 September 2010}} and the opener a month later in a 2–0 victory over Italy in the Tournoi de France.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpT/CmpT1997.html |title=England's Minor Tournaments and Cups – Tournoi de France 1997 |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |access-date=16 September 2010}} England won the four-team tournament, staged as a warm-up event to the 1998 World Cup in France, which also included world champions Brazil as well as the hosts.

Wright went on to help England qualify for the 1998 World Cup by scoring two goals in the 4–0 qualifying campaign victory against Moldova at Wembley in September 1997,{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_eng_v_mold97.html |title=England 4 Moldova 0 |publisher=Englandfc.com |access-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107123836/http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_eng_v_mold97.html |archive-date=7 November 2010}} before producing arguably his best performance for his country in the vital 0–0 draw in Italy, a month later, which secured his country's passage through to the finals.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfc.com/reports/report_italy_v_eng97.html |title=Italy 0 England 0 |publisher=Englandfc.com |access-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128193440/http://englandfc.com/reports/report_italy_v_eng97.html |archive-date=28 November 2010}} He missed out on the finals through injury.{{Cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersW/BioWrightIE.html|title=England BME Players - Ian Wright|website=www.englandfootballonline.com}}

Following the 1998 World Cup, Wright went on to play a further two times for England as a West Ham United player. He came on as a substitute in the Euro 2000 qualifier in Luxembourg, a match England won 3–0 in October 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1990-00/1998-99/M0753Lux1998.html |title=England Match No. 753 – Luxembourg – 14 October 1998 – Match Summary and Report |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |access-date=16 September 2010}} He made his final international appearance, a month later, in a friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley. England won the match 2–0 and it also turned out to be Hoddle's final game as manager.

Wright started seven matches and was used as a substitute on six occasions under Hoddle, who was manager for 28 matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/teammgr/Mgr_Hoddle.html |title=England's Coaches/Managers – Glenn Hoddle |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |access-date=16 September 2010}} He made his first appearance under Hoddle aged 33 and his final appearance under him aged 35. England went on to qualify for Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands,{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpEC/CmpEC2000Prelim.html |title=England in the European Championship 2000 – Preliminary Competition |publisher=Englandfootballonline.com |access-date=16 September 2010}} by which time, Wright was approaching his 37th birthday and retired from club football shortly after the tournament. Only Mick Channon played more times for England without being selected for a World Cup or European Championships squad. However, during Channon's England career, which spanned the years 1972–1977, England failed to qualify for either of these tournaments, while during Wright's they qualified for two European Championships and one World Cup.Additionally, Bob Crompton had 41 England caps but all were gained long before the foundation of either tournament.

In March 2007, Wright was appointed Director of football strategy of Isthmian League team, Ashford Town, (now reformed as Ashford United) with him taking his place on the board of directors,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130812115728/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=41052 "Wright involved with ambitious Ashford"]}} NonLeagueDaily.com, 13 March 2007 following his purchase of a stake in the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ian-wright-looking-forward-to-a-good-rant-441833.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131129082725/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ian-wright-looking-forward-to-a-good-rant-441833.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 November 2013 |title=Ian Wright: Looking forward to a good rant – Media, News |work=The Independent |date=26 March 2007 |access-date=16 September 2010 |location=London}}

On 18 May 2012, Wright was named as a first team coach at Milton Keynes Dons.[http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11759/7762685/Dons-make-double-appointment "Dons make double appointment"] SkySports.com, 17 May 2012 He left the role in June 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Sport/Football/MK-Dons/2012-2013/Football-Arsenal-legend-Ian-Wright-leaves-coaching-role-with-MK-Dons-20130625154907.htm |title=Football: Arsenal legend Ian Wright leaves coaching role with MK Dons |publisher=www.mkweb.co.uk |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=21 May 2014 |author=Palmer, Dan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220609/http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Sport/Football/MK-Dons/2012-2013/Football-Arsenal-legend-Ian-Wright-leaves-coaching-role-with-MK-Dons-20130625154907.htm |archive-date=20 May 2014 }}

In November 2024, it was announced that Wright was set to manage one of the 12 teams in the upcoming Baller League UK, a six-a-side football league.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Baller League: KSI, Gary Lineker, Luis Figo & John Terry among names involved in new football league |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3rx5ll9y3zo |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last1=Buckingham |first1=Philip |last2=Stafford-Bloor |first2=Seb |title=What is Baller League, why are KSI and IShowSpeed involved and is it a game-changer? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5949002/2024/11/26/baller-league-explained-ksi-ishowspeed/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=The New York Times |date=26 November 2024 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Wright began his television career as a guest host on Top of the Pops.He can do anything Northern Echo, 15 May 2004 He was later signed up by ITV to present his own chat show, Friday Night's All Wright, on which he interviewed celebrities such as Elton John,{{cite news|first=John |last=Arlidge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jan/13/sport.comment5 |title=The Observer Profile: Ian Wright | |publisher=Guardian |date=13 January 2002 |access-date=16 September 2010 |location=London}} Mariah Carey and Will Smith;{{cite web|url=http://www.tmcentertainment.co.uk/speaker-index.html?speakerid=457&speakertypeid=11 |title=Ian Wright MBE, Book Male Host Speaker Ian Wright MBE |publisher=Tmcentertainment.co.uk |access-date=16 September 2010}} it ran for two series.

Since then, he has gone on to present programmes such as Friends Like These,{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Sian |date=2021-10-30 |title=ITV's Moneyball host Ian Wright's wife, sons and presenting roles |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/moneyball-host-ian-wrights-wife-6135568 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Waheed |first=Jabeen |date=2022-03-14 |title=Maisie Smith 'lands TV gig hosting Friends Like These reboot' |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/maisie-smith-tv-gig-reboot-26467815 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=OK! Magazine |language=en}} I'd Do Anything, The National Lottery Wright Ticket and What Kids Really Think.{{cite web |url=http://championsukplc.co.uk/after-dinner-speaking/speaker_details.cfm?speakerID=866 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070625104555/http://championsukplc.co.uk/after-dinner-speaking/speaker_details.cfm?speakerID=866 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2007 |title=Champions (UK) Plc | After Dinner Speakers | Sport & Celebrity After Dinner Speakers |publisher=Championsukplc.co.uk |date=3 November 1963 |access-date=11 October 2013}} He took over from David Seaman in Autumn 2004 as a team captain on BBC game show They Think It's All Over, which ran until 2006.

Wright has also starred in Men & Motors show Wright Across America, where he fulfils a lifelong dream to travel coast to coast across America on a Harley-Davidson motorbike, a show famous for Wright's rocky relationship with co-host and legendary custom bike builder Nicky Bootz.{{cite web|url=http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/633504.intrepid_trio_help_ian_wright_to_new_heights/ |title=Intrepid trio help Ian Wright to new heights |last= The Westmorland Gazette |publisher=Thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk |date=23 September 2005 |access-date=16 September 2010}}

He also starred in Ian Wright's Excellent Adventure in which he travels to Greenland with a friend, 'Mrs C' (Novello Noades, wife of former Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades), to scale the highest mountain in the Arctic, Gunnbjørn.

Wright appeared as a "celebrity hijacker" in the television series Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.{{cite web|url=http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/realitytv/bbcelebhijack/the-celebs.php?ssid=8 |title=Ian Wright – Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack – Pictures – Tvradio |publisher=Virgin Media |date=21 July 2008 |access-date=16 September 2010}}

On 12 March 2008, Wright was confirmed as one of the presenters of the new series of the popular game show Gladiators.[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a91328/wright-gallacher-presenting-gladiators.html Wright to present Gladiators] Digital Spy, 12 March 2008

Wright was a presenter on Channel 5's early evening magazine programme Live from Studio Five, from its launch in September 2009, to August 2010. He originally co-presented the show alongside former model Melinda Messenger and the runner-up of The Apprentice, Kate Walsh. After Messenger left, Wright continued to present the show alongside Walsh and new presenter Jayne Middlemiss until 11 August 2010. At the beginning of the 12 August edition, Walsh and Middlemiss announced that Wright would not be presenting the show that evening. At the end of the programme, they revealed that he had left the show and would not be returning. Wright was also reported to be unhappy with other changes at the programme, such as its daily airtime being cut from 60 to 30 minutes.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-10964687 Ian Wright axed by Live From Studio Five] BBC News, 13 August 2010 During an interview with Absolute Radio the next day, Wright stated: "It's just been arguments for the last couple of weeks." His contract was due to end in September 2010 and was not going to be renewed.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/aug/13/ian-wright-channel-5-costcutting |title=Ian Wright falls victim to Channel 5 costcutting|newspaper= The Guardian|first=Mark |last=Sweney|date= 13 August 2010}} The show was axed in February 2011.

Wright presented Football Behind Bars, a reality TV series aired on Sky1 about his programme to socialise young men incarcerated at Portland Young Offenders Institution in Dorset by organising them in a football academy. The program was an experiment with the prison authority with an eye to expanding it to other prisons if it was successful. The series ran 6 episodes, aired weekly from 7 September to 12 October 2009.{{cite web|url=http://sky1.sky.com/football-behind-bars|title=Sky 1 - Sky.com|work=Sky}}

Wright featured on an episode of BBC's Top Gear in 2005, posting a 1.47.8 on the celebrity power lap times.

In November 2019, it was announced that Wright would be participating in the nineteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/g29763909/im-a-celebrity-2019-cast-gallery/|title=I'm a Celebrity cast confirmed as Caitlyn Jenner, Ian Wright and more join|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=11 November 2019|website=Digital Spy|language=en|access-date=11 November 2019}}

In February 2021, it was announced that Wright would be hosting a new prime time game show for ITV called Moneyball.{{cite web|title=ITV commissions new prime time game show Moneyball, hosted by Ian Wright|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/itv-commissions-new-prime-time-game-show-moneyball-hosted-ian-wright|date=2 February 2021|access-date=9 July 2023|website=Press Centre}}

Wright makes a number of appearances in the Amazon Original sports docuseries All or Nothing: Arsenal, which documented the club by spending time with the coaching staff and players behind the scenes both on and off the field throughout their 2021–22 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/arsenal-all-or-nothing-arteta-rage-newcastle-defeat/bltf24f8314a4c405f5 |title='F*cking embarrassing!' – Arsenal All or Nothing finale reveals Arteta's fury after Newcastle defeat |last=Watts |first=Charles |date=16 August 2022 |website=goal.com |publisher=Goal |access-date=19 August 2022 }}

On 10 March 2023, Wright announced he would boycott the next broadcast of Match of the Day in solidarity with presenter Gary Lineker, who stepped back from his duties amid a row over comment criticising the government's immigration policies.{{Cite tweet|title=Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I've told the BBC I won't be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.|user=IanWright0|number=1634243318723821576}} Wright made his last appearance on the show on 19 May 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/ian-wright-given-perfect-match-29202092|title=Wright given perfect Match of the Day send off by Lineker and Shearer|first=Amie|last=Wilson|date=19 May 2024|website=Football London}}

In 2001, Wright joined BBC Radio 5 to co-host The Wright & Bright Show with former Crystal Palace teammate Mark Bright.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/jan/22/broadcasting2 |title=BBC signs Ian Wright |work=The Guardian |date=22 January 2001 |access-date=21 December 2023 |last1=Deans |first1=Jason }}

He formerly co-hosted the drivetime slot (4–7 pm) Monday to Thursday on Talksport, with Adrian Durham.{{cite web |url=http://www.talksport1089.com/adriandurham.html |title=adriandurham |publisher=Talksport1089.com |access-date=30 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412175511/http://www.talksport1089.com/adriandurham.html |archive-date=12 April 2012}}

In 2010 Wright joined Absolute Radio, hosting Rock 'N' Roll Football, post match analysis and chat on Saturdays from 5 till 7.{{cite web|url=http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/djs_shows/djs/wright.html |title=Ian Wright |publisher=Absolute Radio |access-date=30 April 2012}}

In August 2013, he joined Kelly Cates as the Sunday co-presenter on BBC Radio 5's 606 football phone-in programme.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23519944|title=Ian Wright to co-host 5 live's 606 with Kelly Cates|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 October 2013}}

File:Ian Wright at SXSW London June 2025bv2.jpg in June 2025.]]

Wright appears in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, alongside Seema Jaswal as the co-host of the fictional sports show, Forza Love of the Game.

Wright appears in the Netflix-distributed science fiction action drama film The Kitchen as Lord Kitchener, a pirate radio station DJ who broadcasts to the struggling community known as The Kitchen. The film debuted on Netflix on 12 January 2024, having premiered at the 67th BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-18 |title=Ian Wright stars in trailer for Daniel Kaluuya's new Netflix film amid MOTD exit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/ian-wright-kitchen-netflix-match-day-b2466178.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=Why Ian Wright was cast in Netflix movie The Kitchen |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a46453019/ian-wright-the-kitchen/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}

Since his retirement from football, Wright appeared as a pundit on BBC Sport's International Match of the Day and has been a pundit for the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2004.http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/27/worldcup.shtm {{Dead link|date=April 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/05_may/14/whos_who.pdf|title=Who's who on the BBC team|website=BBC.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/djs_shows/djs/wright.html |title=Ian Wright |publisher=Absolute Radio |access-date=16 September 2010}}

On 17 April 2008, Wright quit his job on Match of the Day and criticised the programme for using him as a "comedy jester", saying "Fans want people who are dressed like them. They've got no one to relate to on TV and that's why I've said to them I don't want to do the England games any more."[https://web.archive.org/web/20110615121616/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3768215.ece "I won't be your court jester, Ian Wright tells BBC"], Times Online, 18 April 2008

In 2013, he joined BT Sport as a studio analyst for their coverage of the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.{{Cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-08-14/robbie-savage-and-ian-wright-sign-for-bt-sport|title=Robbie Savage and Ian Wright sign for BT Sport|work=RadioTimes|access-date=2 April 2017|language=en}} Since 2014, Wright has also been a regular studio pundit, along with Lee Dixon, for all England matches on ITV, and was one of the main studio pundits for their coverage of 2014 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-offers-fans-french-football-festival-euro-2016|title=ITV offers fans a French football festival at Euro 2016|website=ITV.com}}

Wright left BT Sport in 2017 to increase his role at the BBC, regularly appearing on Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2, as well as continuing to co-host the 606 phone in show on Sunday evenings alongside Kelly Cates. Wright also now co-hosts 5 Live Sport on a Monday evening, alongside Mark Chapman on BBC Radio 5 Live. He also appears every Tuesday on The Debate on Sky Sports' Premier League channel, once again teaming up with Kelly Cates.{{cite web|url=https://www.skymedia.co.uk/news/premier-league-returns-sky-sports/|title=Premier League returns to Sky Sports|work=Sky Media }} Wright also appears regularly as one of the BBC's lead pundits for live games, regularly working with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.

Since October 2020, Wright has co-hosted his own podcast, Wrighty's House, on The Ringer FC, with a rotating panel of guests including Musa Okwonga, Ryan Hunn, Jeanette Kwakye, Flo Lloyd-Hughes, Carl Anka and Mayowa Quadri.{{cite web |url=https://www.theringer.com/wrightys-house |title=Wrighty's House |work=The Ringer |access-date=10 February 2022}}

In 2020, Wright was named TV/Radio Pundit of the Year by the Football Supporters' Association.{{cite web|url=https://thefsa.org.uk/news/nominations-open-for-the-2021-fsa-awards/|website=Football Supporters' Association|title=Nominations open for the 2021 FSA Awards|date=4 October 2021}} He won the award for a second time in 2022 as well as Pundit of the Year at the Broadcast Sports Awards and World Soccer{{'}}s Broadcaster of the Year.{{cite magazine|magazine=World Soccer|date=February 2023|page=63|title=Ian Wright}}

Wright has appeared in television commercials for the chicken sauce, Chicken Tonight, Nescafé and Ladbrokes along with Chris Kamara, Ally McCoist and former Arsenal teammate Lee Dixon.{{cite web|last=Finlayson |first=Stuart |url=http://www.adexamples.co.uk/2010/06/ladbrokes-tv-advert-feeling-ian-wright.html |title=Ladbrokes TV Advert: 'Got the Feeling' – Ian Wright & Chris Cabanga (Kamara) |publisher=Ad Examples |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=16 September 2010}}{{cite news| url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3455950.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907014706/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3455950.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 September 2008 | location=London | work=The Times | first=Dominic | last=Walsh | title=TV adverts help Ladbrokes to a 46 increase in profits | date=29 February 2008}} Wright appeared in an advertisement for the Wii console where he was seen playing Mario Strikers Charged and Wii Sports with his son Shaun.{{cite news|author=Mark Sweney |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/18/advertising.nintendo |title=Wii are family: Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips in TV ads |work=The Guardian |date= 18 May 2007|access-date=16 September 2010 |location=London}} In his playing career, Wright was sponsored by the sportswear company Nike, and appeared in Nike commercials.{{cite news|title=Nike and Maven Networks Introduce JogaTV |url=http://nikego.com/media/pr/2006/04/17_jogaTV.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130024001/http://nikego.com/media/pr/2006/04/17_jogaTV.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2013 |work=Nikego |publisher=Nike |date=17 April 2006 |access-date=21 July 2012 }} In October 1992, Ian Wright featured on the first TV commercial for Nike in the UK, Nike "Kick it" was Nike first TV commercial for Football.{{cite web |title=Nike 'kick it' by Simons Palmer Denton Clemmow and Johnson|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/nike-kick-it-simons-palmer-denton-clemmow-johnson/943552|publisher=Campaign live |access-date=15 March 2021|date=6 October 1992}} In 1996, he starred in a Nike commercial titled "Good vs Evil" in a gladiatorial game set in a Roman amphitheatre. Appearing alongside football players from around the world, including Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Luís Figo, Patrick Kluivert, Paolo Maldini and Jorge Campos, they defend "the beautiful game" against a team of demonic warriors, which culminates with Cantona striking the ball and destroying evil.{{cite book|last1=Jackson|first1=Steven J.|title=Sport, Culture and Advertising: Identities, Commodities and the Politics of Representation|date=10 November 2004|publisher=Routledge|page=186}} In 1997 he starred in Nike's "Park Life" commercial (set to the tune "Parklife" by Blur) where a group of pub league players playing amateur football at Hackney Marshes in east London are suddenly joined by top Premier League footballers, including Wright, Cantona, David Seaman and Robbie Fowler.{{cite news |title=Nike scores own goal on Hackney Marshes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/sep/12/media.business |access-date=8 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}} In 2000, "Park Life" was ranked number 15 in Channel 4's poll of The 100 Greatest TV Ads.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/greatest_ads/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Ads|year=2000|publisher=Channel 4|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618095141/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/greatest_ads/|archive-date=18 June 2001|url-status=dead|access-date=8 August 2019}}

Wright has also done work for Barclays.{{Cite web|url=https://home.barclays/news/press-releases/2023/04/nearly-half-of-young-people-say-they-do-not-feel-confident-speak0/|title=Nearly half of young people say they do not feel confident speaking about themselves in a job interview | Barclays|website=home.barclays}}

In 1993, Wright wrote and released the song "Do the Right Thing", which was co-written and produced by Pet Shop Boys member Chris Lowe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/product/collaboration/ian-wright-do-the-right-thing|title=Ian Wright — Do the Right Thing|website=Pet Shop Boys}} It reached No. 43 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php |title=polyhex - UK singles chartruns |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207165154/http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php |archive-date=7 December 2008}}

While he was still a professional footballer at Arsenal, Wright wrote his autobiography Mr Wright, which was published in hardback by Collins Willow in 1996.{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXBWIgAACAAJ&q=%22ian+Wright%22 |title=Mr Wright at Google books|date=16 October 2010|isbn=9780002187268|last1=Wright|first1=Ian|publisher=CollinsWillow }}

Wright is also a columnist for tabloid newspaper The Sun.{{cite web |url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/former-england-international-ian-wright-host-new-online-football-programme-sun/ |title=Former England international Ian Wright to host new online football programme for the Sun |website=Press Gazette |last=Turvill |first=William |date=14 August 2013 |access-date=10 February 2022}}

In 2016, Wright wrote an updated version of his autobiography called A Life in Football, published by Constable.

In 2021, Wright and Musa Okwonga co-wrote Striking Out, his first novel.{{cite web |url=https://www.waterstones.com/book/striking-out-the-debut-novel-from-superstar-striker-ian-wright/ian-wright/musa-okwonga/9780702315619 |title=Striking Out: The Debut Novel from Superstar Striker Ian Wright: Signed Edition (Hardback) |work=Waterstones |access-date=10 February 2022}} The book is aimed at children and young people and is inspired by many issues that Wright himself dealt with while growing up as a young, black, working-class footballer in London.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/12/ian-wright-musa-okwonga-striking-out-teenage-novel-interview |title='Kids need two things – love and education': how Ian Wright and Musa Okwonga are inspiring young people through fiction |work=The Guardian |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=10 February 2022}}

Wright adopted Shaun (born 1981), the son of his then-girlfriend Sharon Phillips, when Shaun was three years old; Wright and Phillips later had another son together named Bradley (born 1985). Both sons went on to become professional footballers, as did Shaun's son D'Margio (born 2001).{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55902050 |title=D'Margio Wright-Phillips: Stoke City sign son of Shaun and Ian Wright's grandson from Manchester City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=20 March 2021}} Wright also has a son from a different relationship.{{cite news |last=Cooke |first=Rachel |date=8 June 2001 |title='I'm a very flirtatious kind of guy' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4723985/Im-a-very-flirtatious-kind-of-guy.html |newspaper=Daily Telegraph }}

In June 2014, whilst Wright was away in Brazil as a pundit for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, his wife Nancy was held at knifepoint as a gang burgled their home whilst their children were upstairs.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27920007|title=Ian Wright's family robbed at knifepoint at home|work=BBC News|date=19 June 2014}} He flew back to England but later returned to Brazil, where he served as a pundit on ITV for the match between Cameroon and Brazil.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/ian-wright-arrives-back-in-brazil-for-itvs-world-cup-coverage-after-knifewielding-thieves-break-into-his-home-9556689.html|title=Ian Wright back in Brazil for ITV's World Cup coverage after knife-wielding thieves break into his home|author=Ella Alexander|date=23 June 2014|work=The Independent}}

Shortly after his retirement from playing, Wright was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to football.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/832031.stm|title=MBE humbles footballer Wright|website=BBC.co.uk}} This caused some surprise in view of Wright's poor disciplinary record.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12222207.decade-of-dishonour-that-ended-with-a-gong/|title=Decade of dishonour that ended with a gong|website=HeraldScotland|date=31 December 1999 |accessdate=11 March 2023}} On 21 April 2022, Wright was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/premier-league-hall-of-fame-ian-wright|title=Wright inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame|website=www.arsenal.com|date=13 July 2023 }}

He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to football and charity.{{London Gazette|issue=64082|supp=y|page=B16|date=17 June 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65914516|title= King's Birthday Honours: Ian Wright, Ken Bruce and Davina McCall on list|work= BBC News|date= 16 June 2023}}

He was made a Freeman of the City of London on 1 November 2023 in recognition of his sporting achievements.{{Cite news|url= https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ian-wright-awarded-freedom-of-the-city-of-london/ |title=Ian Wright awarded Freedom of the City of London|work= City of London Corporation|date= 1 November 2023}}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wright goal.

Crystal Palace

• Football League Second Division play-offs: 1988–89
• Full Members' Cup: 1990–91
• FA Cup runner-up: 1989–90

Arsenal

• Premier League: 1997–98{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/29/Ian-Wright/overview |title=Ian Wright: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=18 April 2018}}
• FA Cup: 1992–93, 1997–98
• Football League Cup: 1992–93
• European Cup Winners' Cup: 1993–94
• European Super Cup runner-up: 1994{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/history/1994/|title=Masterful Milan march on|website=UEFA}}

West Ham United{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/429277.stm|title=Intertoto win gives Hammers Uefa spot|website=BBC.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham/who-is-the-best-player-to-have-played-for-west-ham-and-arsenal-1-4801335|title=Who is the best player to have played for West Ham and Arsenal?|website=Newham Recorder.co.uk|date=2 December 2016|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181725/http://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham/who-is-the-best-player-to-have-played-for-west-ham-and-arsenal-1-4801335|url-status=dead}}

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999

Burnley{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/781327.stm|title=BBC News | FOOTBALL | Wright hangs up his boots|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/801893.stm|title=Late charge takes Clarets up|website=BB Sport}}

• Football League Second Division runner-up: 1999–2000

Individual

• First Division Golden Boot: 1991–92
• Arsenal Player of the Season: 1991−92, 1992−93{{Cite book |last=Maidment |first=Jem |title=The Official Arsenal Encyclopedia |publisher=Hamlyn |year=2006 |isbn=9780600615491 |location=London |pages=148 |language=en}}
• Crystal Palace Player of the Year: 1988–89{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/club/club-history/player-of-the-year-winners/|title=CRYSTAL PALACE PLAYER OF THE YEAR|website=CPFC.co.UK}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 1988–89 Second Division,{{Cite book

| last = Lynch

| title = The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes

| page = 147 }} 1992–93 Premier League,{{Cite book

| last = Lynch

| title = The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes

| page = 149}} 1996–97 Premier League{{Cite book

| editor-first = Barry J.

| editor-last = Hugman

| title = The 1997–98 Official PFA Footballers Factfile

| year = 1997

| publisher = Queen Anne Press

| isbn = 1-85291-581-1

| page = 317 }}

• FA Cup top scorer: 1992–93[https://www.worldfootball.net/scorer/eng-fa-cup-1992-1993 FA Cup 1992/1993 Scorers] WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 3 May 2024
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup top scorer: 1994–95{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec2tops.html|title=Cup Winners Cup Topscorers|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|author1=Jarek Owsianski|author2=Davide Rota|date=18 December 2013|access-date=20 November 2015}}
• EFL Cup top scorer: 1995–96{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/eng-league-cup-1995-1996/|title=English League Cup Statistics |publisher=WorldFootball.net|access-date=11 October 2024}}
• Premier League Player of the Month: November 1996
• Ballon d'Or Nominations: 1995, 1997{{cite web |url=https://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/awards/ballondor-1995.htm|title=Ballon d'Or Results |publisher=TopEndSports|access-date=14 October 2024}}
• English Football Hall of Fame: 2005{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/score_on_bbci/4345966.stm|title=Wright joins Hall of Fame|website=BBC.co.uk|date=15 October 2005}}
• Crystal Palace Centenary XI: 2005{{cite web|title=Centenary: All-Time XI |url=http://www.cpfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/CentenaryDetail/0,,10323~658700,00.html |publisher=CPFC |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050508042735/http://www.cpfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/CentenaryDetail/0%2C%2C10323~658700%2C00.html |archive-date= 8 May 2005 |url-status=dead }}
• BBC Goal of the Season: 1989–90{{cite web|title=BBC Goal of the Season from 1970-71 to Present|url=http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Goal_of_the_Season.html|website=My Football Facts|access-date=30 July 2015}}
• Crystal Palace Player of the Century
• Premier League Hall of Fame: 2022{{cite web |title=Six new inductees voted into Premier League Hall of Fame|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2582028 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=21 April 2022|date=21 April 2022}}
• PFA Merit Award: 2023{{cite news |date=29 August 2023 |title=Rachel Daly and Erling Haaland win PFA player of the year awards |website=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/30/rachel-daly-and-erling-haaland-win-pfa-player-of-the-year-awards |accessdate=30 August 2023}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{IMDb name|0942444}}

{{Navboxes

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{{1988–89 Football League Second Division PFA Team of the Year}}

{{1992–93 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{1996–97 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{English First Division top scorers}}

{{UEFA Cup Winners' Cup top scorers}}

{{Goal of the Season}}

{{Crystal Palace F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{Arsenal F.C. Player of the Season}}

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{{Premier League Hall of Fame}}

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{{Absolute Radio}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Ian}}

Category:1963 births

Category:Living people

Category:English people of Jamaican descent

Category:Sportspeople of Jamaican descent

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:Footballers from the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Category:People from Woolwich

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Greenwich Borough F.C. players

Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players

Category:Arsenal F.C. players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players

Category:Celtic F.C. players

Category:Burnley F.C. players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:English Sunday league players

Category:Scottish Premier League players

Category:First Division/Premier League top scorers

Category:England men's B international footballers

Category:England men's international footballers

Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees

Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. non-playing staff

Category:English television presenters

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Category:Black British television personalities

Category:English association football commentators

Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire

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Category:British sportspeople convicted of crimes

Ian

Category:Premier League Hall of Fame inductees