MARK WRIGHT made a late cameo for Crawley in Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Leeds.
The reality TV star climbed off the bench in injury time of his side’s 3-0 win over the stunned Premier League team.
Mark Wright came on for Crawley against Leeds in the FA Cup on SundayCredit: Reuters
The reality TV star came on late in the 3-0 FA Cup victoryCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The 33-year-old, who is married to actress Michelle Keegan, tried to make it as a footballer when he was young.
But the Essex-born star has found success from other avenues away from football, such as TV and radio.
But coming on for an FA Cup clash against Premier League Leeds even if just for a few minutes would’ve been a big deal for Wright.
He told the BBC: “The day I got released from Tottenham was one of the worst days of my life. I cried my eyes out, I realised I messed up.
Mark Wright warms up ahead of Crawley’s FA Cup clash with LeedsCredit: Rex Features
Mark Wright was named on the bench for Crawley’s clash with LeedsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I didn’t want to face my family, I didn’t want to face my friends. I was embarrassed. I had it all, 18, going to clubs and I just thought, ‘It’s done.’
“I’ve been spoiled, I played for Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham all of my life and never had to suffer when it came to football.
“Captain of the youth team, playing for the reserves with Jamie Redknapp, Stephen Dalmat, Helder Postiga. I had it all.
“I went away one summer for a month, I drank alcohol for the first time, ate what I wanted every day, put on a stone and a half and came back to training pre-season and the goalkeepers were beating me. Never pulled it back.
“Went to League One club Southend and thought, ‘What is this?’ And that is the point where I looked back at “where it all went wrong.
“Instead of going, ‘Right, I’ve dropped the down to League One, I’ve got to get myself back up.’ I’m going to train harder, train longer. Do what I’m doing now at Crawley.
“Staying out after with the fitness coach. On my days, I’m going to work harder to get back.”
Wright is still haunted by how his actions cost him a place at Spurs and has urged youngsters at big club’s academies to never let their work ethic slip.
He added: “If I could tell any young player now, don’t do what I did. The hardest working players make it. And that’s what I didn’t do.”
The former Only Way is Essex Star signed for Crawley last month on a non-contract basis.
Upon joining the Reds, Wright said: “My love for the game has never gone away and the fact that I never played a professional game in the Football League has always niggled away at me. If I don’t do it now, I never will.
“When the manager, John Yems, who I played for 12 years ago here at Crawley asked me if I would like to take it further and sign for the club, of course I didn’t think twice and tonight I’m quite simply over the moon.
“I’ve worked so hard to get fighting fit and I will continue to do so. When/if the time comes for me to make my debut, it will be a day I remember and cherish forever.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
