The Longside Reference

Name: Ian Wright

D.O.B: 03/11/1963

Clubs: Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Celtic, West Ham

Burnley Fee: Free 

Signed by Stan Ternent

Burnley Debut: Wigan (H) 19th Feb 2000

Last Game for Burnley: Scunthorpe Utd (A) 6th May 2000

Claret Stats: 4 (11) appearances 4 goals

International Honours: 33 caps 9 goals

After a glittering career with Arsenal and England, Ian Wright's arrival at Turf Moor in February 2000 resulted in a media frenzy.  Persuaded to join the club by his close pal Mitchell Thomas following a brief spell in the SPL with Celtic, Wright's captured the imagination of the Burnley public and boosted attendances as the Clarets pushed for promotion from division two.

 As one of the most lethal finishers in the modern era, the Woolwich-born marksman netted an incredible 323 times in 626 appearances during his career, which included 9 goals for England.

Wrighty who had previously played under coach Stan Ternent at Crystal Palace scored four times in four starts for the Clarets before making his final ever appearance at Scunthorpe's Glanford Park.  He also made a further 11 appearances from the bench, as Burnley finished runners-up to Preston North End.  Upon leaving Burnley Wrighty tried his hand at football punditry and is currently presenter of Sky 1's Gladiators.