JOHN TERRY encouraged Mark Wright to go and play in the Championship – believing he’d make the grade.
The Chelsea legend was impressed after they appeared together in the previous editions of Soccer Aid.
Getty Images – GettyMark Wright is a regular in the charity Soccer Aid matches[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationJohn Terry turned out for the clash two years in a row alongside Wright[/caption]
Starring at left-back for the England team in 2021, Wright lasted the whole 90 minutes and wowed the former Three Lions captain.
During an appearance on The Harry Redknapp Show, the Towie ace opened up on his conversation with Terry.
Both the former defender and Redknapp told the now 36-year-old that he had the quality to play in the Championship.
Wright said: “It’s weird you said that because the day after this year’s Soccer Aid, John Terry texted me in the morning.
“And he said to me, ‘Mark I’ve just been thinking about you after playing with you again last night, please go and give it ago you could play in the Championship all day, please don’t doubt yourself’.”
Having played for West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal in youth football, Wright enjoyed a short non-league career as his reality TV fame took off.
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He then realised his dream of playing professionally by re-signing for League Two Crawley, making his debut in the shock FA Cup beating of Leeds in the 2020-21 season.
But a poor display in the 3-1 home defeat to Harrogate proved to be end of his stint at the Red Devils and after an injury he was released after just two appearances.
But fans may well remember Wright’s best moment on the pitch to be a free-kick he scored from 30 yards in the 2016 Soccer Aid.
Recalling the famous Old Trafford strike, the defender claimed it was one of the best moments of his life.
Wright continued: “People like Harry and Jamie [Redknapp], they played in front of these crowds, but I never did it.
GettyWright played for Crawley against Premier League Leeds in the FA Cup[/caption]
“To do it there, obviously it’s Soccer Aid and it’s [for] charity and people say why do you take it so seriously?
“But for someone who loves football and grew up with that being all I wanted to do, to score that goal in my first year and for it to be at Old Trafford, whether they’re celebrity fans or football fans, there’s 75,000 people standing on their feet cheering.
“Jamie Carragher’s running towards me, Jamie Redknapp’s coming out at that angle, I’ve got Michael Owen coming out of that angle, and they all run into me to cheer.
“I mean you’ve got my wedding day, maybe one or two other situations, and that was kind of the best moment of my life.”