HIS famous footballing father was a Double winner with Arsenal and will go down in history as the first African player to win the Premier League.
His uncle is a former Ballon d’Or winner and two-time African Footballer of the Year who starred for Manchester City in the twilight of his career.
But Chris Wreh – son of former Gunners striker Christopher Wreh and nephew of Liberian legend George Weah – has no time to worry about torn loyalties ahead of Sunday’s title showdown between City and Arsenal.
That’s because he’s too busy closing in on a spectacular title success of his own.
The 27-year-old Hartlepool United striker is currently on loan at National League North surprise packages Tamworth.
And Andy Peaks’ high-flying Lambs can complete back-to-back promotions and clinch a shock promotion to the National League if they pick up a point at Brackley Town on Monday or Chorley fail to beat Blyth Spartans.
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However, 26 years ago it was Chris’ dad Christopher who was closing in on the title as part of Arsene Wenger’s great 1997-98 Double-winners.
Chris told SunSport: “I was only two when dad won the Double with Arsenal.
“He’s not really one to talk about what he’s achieved, he was more interested in pushing me on to try and make a name for myself.
“But lots of people have told me what a great player he was and I’ve watched some videos of him.
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“It’s pretty obvious he must have been talented to play in that Arsenal Double-winning team because he had to compete with Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp and Nicolas Anelka.
“One of his claims to fame is that Arsene Wenger signed him twice – first for Monaco and then Arsenal.”
Wreh senior scored on his full debut in March 1998 – a 1-0 win at Wimbledon – as Arsenal put together a ten-match winning streak which saw them overhaul Manchester United to win the title.
Wreh also scored a winner at Bolton before bagging his most famous Arsenal goal – the only goal of the game in a narrow FA Cup semi-final win over Wolves.
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“Arsene Wenger rewarded him by starting dad in the FA Cup final against Newcastle United, which they won 2-0,” said Chris.
“Ian Wright was on the bench that day which says a lot for dad.
“They were quite close and he used to call Wrighty, grandad, or old man, while Ian Wright dubbed dad ‘The Liberian Lion King!’
“Dad also scored against Manchester United at Wembley when Arsenal won the Charity Shield at the start of the following season.
“I still stumble across some of his international shirts in the garage or scattered all over the house and his Premier League winners’ medal and Community Shield medal are at home too.
“He’s even got a Best Goal Celebration Award and became famous for his backflip celebrations after scoring but I’ve never tried to recreate it.”
Living with Henry
At the start of his second season at Highbury, Wenger increased the quality even further by signing Thierry Henry and Croatian legend Davor Suker.
Despite making 18 appearances in the first half of the season Wreh was eventually loaned out to AEK Athens, Birmingham City and Dutch side Den Bosch, before moving to St Mirren and then Al-Hilal in the fledgling Saudi League.
“Dad knew all about Thierry Henry’s quality long before he became a Gunners legend,” said Chris.
“Because he used to share a flat together when they were teammates at Monaco.
“To get in that Arsenal team ahead of some of those players was obviously a massive achievement and something my mum must have been so proud of.
“It showed he had the talent, it’s staggering to think of the level he achieved.
Wreh was ‘bigger’ in France
“Speaking to Mum and other family members he was actually far bigger in France than he ever was here.
“He achieved a lot in French football with Guingamp, where he played in the French Cup final and Monaco before his move to Arsenal.
“He played with some world class players at Monaco and at 18 he came off the bench in the semi-final of the Champions League against AC Milan at the San Siro, playing alongside Jurgen Klinsmann, Youri Djorkaeff, Enzo Scifo and Emmanuel Petit.
“He’s currently out in Liberia where he is in charge of the National Under-20 team and he Facetimed me the other day before their international for a chat.
“We tend to keep it light – he’s just my dad really. But if I ask him for something specific he’ll give me advice.
“It’s my ambition to play for Liberia one day.
Chris’ Liberia ambitions
“Dad scored 12 goals in 36 internationals and my uncle George Weah is Liberia’s most famous player.
“There was a possibility of me being called up when I was with Southend but unfortunately I got injured before the squad was announced.
“Hopefully if Tamworth win promotion I’ll have options in the National League with Hartlepool or to stay here.
“We’re 13 points clear with four games to go but I came in February after the boys did all the hard work.
“I’m just here to hopefully provide the icing on the cake. I’ve managed five goals and four assists in 14 appearances so things have gone well.”
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The Tamworth fans might want to borrow the anthem Arsenal fans used to sing about his double-winning dad.
All together now ….. “We’re riding along on the Christ-oph-er Wreh!”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
