REALITY TV STAR Mark Wright endured a disaster full debut for Crawley Town as he was substituted at half-time.
The 34-year-old’s team were 3-0 down to newly-promoted Harrogate Town at the break.
Mark Wright was hauled off with Crawley getting hammered by half-timeCredit: Rex Features
Mark Wright had a nightmare EFL debut against HarrogateCredit: Rex Features
The 34-year-old was taken off at half-time by Crawley boss John YemsCredit: Rex Features
Wright started alongside his brother Josh, 31, who previously played for Championship side MillwallCredit: Rex Features
Wright was making his first start for Crawley since signing for the League Two side in December.
It was also the left-back’s long-awaited EFL debut.
The game started terribly for Crawley as goals from Aaron Martin, Josh March and Simon Power gave Harrogate a 3-0 lead.
Crawley manager John Yems decided to take Wright off at the break in a triple substitution.
To make matters worse for the reality TV star, his replacement Tom Dallison scored as it finished 3-1 to Harrogate.
The Crawley boss was keen to defend Wright despite hauling him off.
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The former TOWIE star would have been buzzing during the warm-up, but his full debut didn’t go to planCredit: Rex Features
Wright’s impressive performances at Soccer Aid have encouraged him to try and become a professionalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He is married to former Corrie star Michelle KeeganCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Yems said: “It wasn’t Mark’s fault, but today it was farcical first half, absolutely farcical.
“It’s easy for me to say that players have got to stand up and be counted, but they have now, if not there’ll be changes and there will be changes.”
Crawley fans watching remotely were sympathetic to Wright’s plight, acknowledging the entire team were to blame.
One fan tweeted: “You’ve been absolutely awful. Don’t think Mark Wright has played particularly badly, but the other 10 players have been dreadful.”
Another said: “Can’t just blame Wright, whole team completely lifeless.”
Not all were convinced, though, as one tweeted: “He was lost out there and should be no where near our club.”
Wright will need to improve significantly if he is to make it as a professional.
He had been semi-pro at Crawley in 2006/07 before shooting to fame on The Only Way Is Essex.
Wright left the game after becoming a household name as Crawley went on to achieve promotion to the EFL.
But his desire to play football never diminished and he has starred at Soccer Aid, with Chelsea legend John Terry encouraging him to go professional.
Wright joined the League Two side on a non-contract basis in December.
He made his professional debut as a late substitute in Crawley’s shock 3-0 win against Leeds in the FA Cup last month.
But the former TOWIE star had to wait until yesterday for his EFL debut after a coronavirus outbreak at the club forced him to self-isolate with his wife Michelle Keegan.
Wright’s brother Josh is also a professional footballer and joined him at Crawley in January.
Mark Wright shows off his six pack as he works out in gym at home he shares with Michelle Keegan
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
