Jake Wright
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jake Wright
| image = Jake Wright 2013-04-06 1.jpg
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Wright playing for Oxford United in 2013
| full_name = Jake Maxwell Wright{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=445}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|3|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Keighley, England
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Sherwood Colliery FC
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2005
| youthclubs1 = Bradford City
| years1 = 2005–2006
| years2 = 2005
| years3 = 2006–2008
| years4 = 2008–2009
| years5 = 2009–2010
| years6 = 2009–2010
| years7 = 2010–2016
| years8 = 2016–2020
| years9 = 2019–2020
| years10 = 2020
| years11 = 2021
| years12 = 2021–2022
| clubs1 = Bradford City
| clubs2 = → Halifax Town (loan)
| clubs3 = Halifax Town
| clubs4 = Crawley Town
| clubs5 = Brighton & Hove Albion
| clubs6 = → Oxford United (loan)
| clubs7 = Oxford United
| clubs8 = Sheffield United
| clubs9 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan)
| clubs10 = Hereford
| clubs11 = Mansfield Town
| clubs12 = Boston United
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 0
| caps3 = 64
| goals3 = 2
| caps4 = 41
| goals4 = 0
| caps5 = 6
| goals5 = 0
| caps6 = 20
| goals6 = 0
| caps7 = 222
| goals7 = 0
| caps8 = 46
| goals8 = 0
| caps9 = 11
| goals9 = 0
| caps10 = 3
| goals10 = 0
| caps11 = 2
| goals11 = 0
| caps12 = 12
| goals12 = 0
| club-update = 16:39, 13 June 2022 (UTC)
}}
Jake Maxwell Wright (born 11 March 1986) is an English footballer who last played as a defender for Boston United.
Wright started his career with Bradford City, but played only one senior game for them, before he joined Halifax Town where he had previously spent a loan spell. He spent two years at Halifax, but after they were demoted from the Conference Premier, he moved to Crawley Town in June 2008 before transferring to Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2009. After that he spent seven years at Oxford United where he made 278 total appearances, captained the club and won two promotions. He is currently signed to Sherwood Colliery F.C. based in Nottinghamshire.
Career
Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, Jake Wright started his football career as a youngster with Bradford City and, in April 2005, was one of four defenders to be given a one-year contract.{{cite news
|url=http://archive.thisisbradford.co.uk/2005/4/5/91602.html
|title=Players must lead by example – Todd
|date=5 April 2005
|access-date=23 June 2008
|newspaper=Telegraph & Argus
|location=Bradford
}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In August 2005, he and fellow Bradford City player Danny Forrest moved to Conference National club Halifax Town on loan—Wright's an initial one-month loan deal.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/4200332.stm
|title=Bradford pair seal Halifax move
|date=31 August 2005
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}} He made his debut on 10 September 2005, in a 4–0 Conference victory over Tamworth at The Shay.{{cite web
|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?season_id=135&player_id=35032
|title=Jake Wright in 2005/2006
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=Soccerbase}} He twice extended his loan deal,{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/4297714.stm
|title=Wright to extend stay at Halifax
|date=30 September 2005
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/4403686.stm
|title=Wright extends spell at Halifax
|date=3 November 2005
|access-date=23 June 2008 | publisher=BBC Sport}} staying with Halifax for three months, during which time he played 11 league games and three cup games, before he returned to Bradford. Wright made his Bradford debut as a second-half substitute against Colchester United on 4 February 2006, replacing Richard Edghill, who had broken his ankle.{{cite news
|url=http://archive.thisisbradford.co.uk/2006/2/7/184833.html
|title=Wright debut, wrong result
|date=7 February 2006
|access-date=23 June 2008
|newspaper=Telegraph & Argus
|location=Bradford
}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It would be his only senior appearance for Bradford.{{cite web
|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=35032
|title=Jake Wright
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=Soccerbase}}
During June 2006, Wright rejoined Halifax, this time on a permanent basis, along with Forrest and Hereford United goalkeeper Craig Mawson.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/5049362.stm
|title=Halifax complete double signing
|date=5 June 2006
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}} Wright scored his first senior goal to help Halifax to their first home victory of the 2006–07 season, in a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on 19 September 2006.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/5351574.stm
|title=Halifax 3–1 Dagenham & Redbridge
|date=19 September 2006
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}} Wright finished the season with two goals from 27 league games,{{cite web
|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=136&teamid=1186
|title=Halifax 2006/2007 player appearances
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=Soccerbase
|archive-date=14 March 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314042458/http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=136&teamid=1186
|url-status=dead
}} before playing a further 36 games the following season.{{cite web
|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=137&teamid=1186
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202161955/http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=137&teamid=1186
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2 February 2013
|title=Halifax 2007/2008 player appearances
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=Soccerbase
}} During the campaign, he picked up his first red card of his career, in a 1–0 defeat to Aldershot Town.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7043172.stm
|title=Aldershot 1–0 Halifax
|date=20 October 2007
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}} Halifax Town avoided relegation despite a final-day defeat, because Altrincham also lost,{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7356048.stm
|title=Halifax 1–2 Stevenage
|date=26 April 2008
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}} but they faced liquidation and were eventually demoted, giving Altrincham a reprieve.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/7399940.stm
|title=Two groups fight to save Halifax
|date=14 May 2008
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7448831.stm
|title=Halifax fail with demotion appeal
|date=12 June 2008
|access-date=23 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}} Halifax were demoted and applied to join the Northern Premier League Division One North, but instead Wright moved back to the Conference Premier, by signing for Crawley Town in June 2008.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7471227.stm
|title=Crawley capture defender Wright
|date=24 June 2008
|access-date=25 June 2008
|publisher=BBC Sport}} He had played 63 league games for Halifax during his two years. After an impressive season making 41 League appearances, Wright attracted the interest of Football League clubs including Charlton Athletic and Colchester United.{{cite news
|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4519109.Seagulls_consider_swoop_for_Crawley_defender/
|title=Seagulls Consider Swoop for Crawley Defender
|last=Naylor
|first=Andy
|date=30 July 2009
|access-date=15 January 2018
|newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4514961.Slade_faces_competition_for_Wright/
|title=Slade faces Competition for Wright
|last=Naylor
|first=Andy
|date=28 July 2009
|access-date=15 January 2018
|newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton}}
On 27 July 2009, Wright was invited for a trial at League One side Brighton & Hove Albion and featured during the 1–0 pre-season friendly defeat to Torquay United.{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4514610.Albion_trial_for_Crawley_prospect/
|title=Albion trial for Crawley Prospect
|date=27 July 2009
|last=Naylor
|first=Andy
|access-date=15 January 2018
|newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4516840.Seagulls_striker_faces_trial_by_video/
|title=Seagulls Striker faces Trial by Video
|last=Naylor
|first=Andy
|date=29 July 2009
|access-date=15 January 2018
|newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton}} Brighton beat off competition from an unnamed Scottish Premier League club to sign Wright and completed the transfer with Wright signing a two-year contract with the Seagulls.{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4522616.Albion_complete_Wright_signing/
|title=Albion Complete Wright Signing
|date=31 July 2009
|access-date=15 January 2018
|newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton}}
On 31 December 2009, Oxford United signed Wright on loan for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/8436190.stm|title=Brighton's Jake Wright joins Oxford United on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 May 2010 | date=31 December 2009}} Wright made 26 appearances during his loan spell at the Kassam Stadium. On 30 June 2010, Wright signed a three-year contract with Oxford on a free transfer after a successful loan spell that saw the club gain promotion back to the Football League.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/8775396.stm |title=Oxford United seal permanent Jake Wright deal |date=30 June 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=16 July 2011}} He was appointed club captain in July 2011{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/leaguetwo/news_articles/9122764.Wright_appointed_new_Oxford_United_skipper/ |title=Wright appointed new Oxford United skipper |date=7 June 2011 |newspaper=Oxford Mail |access-date=16 July 2011}} and extended his contract by a year in October 2011.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15365438.stm |title=Oxford United defender Jake Wright signs new contract |date=19 October 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 October 2011}} After six seasons, and having made 278 appearances and captained the squad to second place in League Two and promotion in the 2015–16 season, Wright – the club's longest-serving player – left Oxford by mutual consent on 9 July 2016.{{cite news |first=David |last=Pritchard |title=Jake Wright signs for Sheffield United after departing Oxford United |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/14609104.Jake_Wright_signs_for_Sheffield_United_after_departing_Oxford_United/ |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}} Later that day, he signed for League One club Sheffield United on a two-year contract.
Wright's first appearance for the Blades was on 27 August 2016 against his former club Oxford United.{{cite web | url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2016/august/jake-wright-debut/ | title=Sheffield United FC }} This was the club's first win of what became a promotion-winning season. Wright made 30 appearances in his first season as a Blade and remained unbeaten throughout the whole campaign, entering the record books in the process.{{cite news|title=Jake Wright unbeaten|url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/april/jake-wright-unbeaten/|publisher=Sheffield United FC|date=13 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}
In the 2017–18 season Wright made 17 appearances for Sheffield United in the EFL Championship. This was the highest level Wright played at in his career{{cite web | url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=35032&season_id=150 | title=Jake Wright | Football Stats | Boston United | Season 2017/2018 | Soccer Base }}{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} (although he remained a Sheffield United player until part way through the club's 2019–20 season in the Premier League, he made no appearances).
On 2 September 2019, Wright joined EFL League One side Bolton Wanderers on loan until January and was one of nine players Bolton signed on deadline day.{{cite web |title=Bolton Wanderers sign nine players on Deadline Day |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11672/11801006/bolton-wanderers-sign-nine-players-on-deadline-day |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=24 September 2019 |date=2 September 2019}} He made his debut on 14 September, starting against Rotherham United in a 6–1 defeat.{{cite web |title=Rotherham United 6 – 1 Bolton Wanderers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49617786 |publisher=BBC |access-date=24 September 2019 |date=14 September 2019}}
His contract with Sheffield United was terminated by mutual consent on 31 January 2020.{{cite web |title=Wright departs |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2020/january/wright-departs/ |website=Sheffield United |access-date=31 January 2020}} He signed for Hereford on 18 September 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/18730774.experienced-football-league-defender-signs-bulls/|title=Experienced Football League defender signs for Bulls|date=18 September 2020|website=Hereford Times}} On 14 November 2020, Wright was released by Hereford.{{cite web |url= https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/18872343.wright-andrai-jones-leave-hereford/ |title=Wright and Andrai Jones released by Hereford |work=Hereford Times|date=14 November 2020 |accessdate=26 February 2021}}
On 26 February 2021, Wright joined League Two side Mansfield Town on a contract until the end of May 2021.{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56217547 |title=Jake Wright: Mansfield Town sign experienced free-agent defender |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2021 |accessdate=26 February 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/february/stags-sign-experienced-defender/ |title=Stags sign experienced defender |publisher=Mansfield Town FC |date=26 February 2021 |accessdate=26 February 2021}}
On 22 July 2021, Wright signed for Conference North side Boston United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/united-make-wright-move-2633017.html |title=United make Wright move |website=bostonunited.co.uk |date=2021-07-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/jake-wright/83301/|title=England - J. Wright - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=uk.soccerway.com}} Wright was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/retained-list--20212022-2704684.html|title=Retained List – 2021-22|website=bostonunited.co.uk|date=24 May 2022|accessdate=13 June 2022}}
Style of play
He can play at left back or centre back.{{cite news
|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/jake-searching-for-the-right-position-1-1951452
|title=Jake searching for the right position
|date=22 September 2005
|access-date=28 October 2017
|newspaper=Halifax Courier
|archive-date=28 October 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028132218/http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/jake-searching-for-the-right-position-1-1951452
|url-status=dead
}}
Career statistics
File:Jake Wright 21-12-2013 1.jpg in 2013]]
{{updated|end of 2021–22 season}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Oxford United
- Football League Two second-place promotion: 2015–16{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017 |year=2016 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3395-0 |pages=278–279}}
- Conference Premier play-offs: 2010{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8673190.stm |title=Oxford United 3–1 York City |first=Steve |last=Marshall |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2010 |access-date=5 May 2019}}
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2015–16{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35906363 |title=Johnstone's Paint Trophy final: Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United |last=Cartwright |first=Phil |website=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2016 |access-date=13 March 2024}}
Sheffield United
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Jake Wright}}
- [https://www.sufc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/jake-wright/ Jake Wright profile] at the Sheffield United F.C. website
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Oxford United F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Jake}}
Category:Footballers from Keighley
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Halifax Town A.F.C. players
Category:Crawley Town F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Oxford United F.C. players
Category:Sheffield United F.C. players
Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Hereford F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Boston United F.C. players
Category:English Football League players