Ian Wright was born on November 3, 1963 in Woolwich, London. After shining in non-league football for Greenwich Borough, he eventually turned professional with Crystal Palace in August 1985, three months short of his 22nd birthday.
The energetic front man smashed 117 goals in 253 starts for the Eagles during six memorable seasons. He is the club’s record post-war goalscorer, and third on their all-time list.
Wright won the First Division Golden Boot in 1991/92 after scoring 29 goals in a sensational campaign.
During seven years with Arsenal, Wright was part of two FA Cup winning sides, a League Cup success, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, and played a key role in the Gunners’ 1997-98 Premier League title victory.
In February 1991 the front man made his full England debut against Cameroon, starting in a 2-0 win at Wembley Stadium. He went on to earn 33 caps, scoring nine times for his country.
On September 13, 1987, Wright eclipsed Cliff Bastin’s record of 178 goals for Arsenal, with a hat-trick against Bolton. His final tally for the Gunners was 185 goals in 288 appearances.
Playing for a total of seven clubs in England and Scotland, “Wrighty” retired in 2000 having scored 305 goals in 596 league games.
In 2005 the Crystal Palace and Arsenal legend was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
