Josh Wright

Josh Wright

Wright playing for Millwall in 2012
Personal information
Full nameJoshua William Wright[1]
Date of birth6 November 1989[1]
Place of birthBethnal Green, England
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Leyton Orient
Number17
Youth career
?–2007Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2007–2009Charlton Athletic2(0)
2007–2008→ Barnet (loan)32(1)
2008→ Brentford (loan)5(0)
2009→ Gillingham (loan)8(0)
2009–2011Scunthorpe United71(1)
2011–2015Millwall46(1)
2013→ Leyton Orient (loan)2(0)
2014→ Crawley Town (loan)4(0)
2014–2015→ Leyton Orient (loan)9(0)
2015–Leyton Orient19(2)
National team‡
2005England U164(0)
2005–2006England U179(0)
2007England U181(0)
2007–2008England U194(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:05, 25 April 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18:20, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

Joshua William "Josh" Wright (born 6 November 1989) is an English footballer who currently plays for Leyton Orient. Wright signed for Millwall in November 2011, having previously played for Scunthorpe United between 2009–11. He began his career at Charlton Athletic at the age of 17 in 2007, but spent the majority of his two years there on loan at Barnet, Brentford and Gillingham.

Club career

Charlton Athletic

Born in Bethnal Green, London,[1] Wright started his football career at Charlton Athletic, with whom he signed a two-year professional contract in April 2007 at the age of 17 alongside close friend Harry Arter.[2] Before joining Charlton's academy full-time at the age of 16, he attended Chigwell School in Chigwell, and Roding Valley High School in Loughton, Essex. Fellow professionals Lee Sawyer and Billy Lumley also attended Roding Valley High School. while Jordan Spence was in the same year group as Wright at Chigwell.[3] He plays in midfield as a playmaker.[4]

In August of that year, Wright moved to Barnet on loan for what eventually amounted to three months.[5] After a successful spell, which saw him score his first ever goal against Stockport County[6] and be named Barnet's player of the month for November,[7] he returned to Charlton. A month later, he was re-signed on loan by Barnet for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.[8]

On 19 September 2008, Wright was signed by League Two side Brentford on a month's loan.[9] The loan was extended but soon after Alan Pardew decided to call Wright back due to an injury crisis at the club, where he made an impressive display for Brentford under the management of Andy Scott.[10]

Following his return from a loan spell at Brentford, he made his debut for Charlton in 1–1 draw against Burnley on 25 October 2008, where he was started for the match.[11] He then joined Gillingham on loan in March 2009 until the end of the season.[12]

He made his debut for Gillingham on 4 April 2009 in the 2–0 home defeat to Barnet. His four appearance at Gillingham impressed Mark Stimson that he extended Wright's loan spell with Gillingham, which allowed him to play in the play-offs.[13] Wright was responsible for the corner kick that allowed striker Simeon Jackson to score in the 2009 Football League Two play-off Final at Wembley Stadium, sending Gillingham to Football League One for the 2009–10 campaign.[14] Despite making his best effort for Gillingham, Charlton wasn't convinced of Wright and instead released him upon his contract expiring.[15]

Scunthorpe United

He signed for Scunthorpe United in July 2009 on a two-year contract.[16] Upon joining Scunthorpe United, Wright revealed he turned down a move to big clubs in order to join Scunthorpe United[17] and was motivated to join the Iron for first team football.[18]

Wright made his debut for the club, where he came on as a substitute for Gary Hooper in the 49th minutes, in a 4–0 loss against Cardiff City in the opening game of the season.[19] Since his debut, Wright quickly made an impact for the club and established himself in the starting eleven as a "as the holding player in United's four-man midfield."[20] In his first season, Wright made thirty-five appearance for the club.

In his second season at Scunthorpe United, Wright started his season when he scored his first goal for the club in a Football League Cup game against Manchester United on 22 September 2010.[21] After the match, Wright says he is more than please to score his first goal because he cited as a "long time coming".[22] Wright started well for the club until his playing time minutes significantly decreased later in the season. In the January transfer window, Wright requested a transfer, during in which, he was offered a new contract and prepared for his exit from Scunthorpe United.[23][24] This came after Reading were keen to sign him and was keen to move down to the south.[25][26] However, his father stated that Wright will unlikely to the club in the January transfer window, but will leave in the summer.[27] After failed transfer move in January transfer window, Wright expected to be back in the first team and earn playing time, as well as, withdrawing his transfer request.[28][29] Unfortunately, his loss of form and a foot injury that kept him for the rest of 2010–11 season cost his first team place.[30][31] Despite loss of form costing his first team place, Wright, nevertheless, made thirty-six appearance for the club.

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Wright was one of seven players released by Scunthorpe in May 2011.[32] At the time, Wright was once linked again to a Championship clubs, having held discussions.[33]

Millwall

After leaving Scunthorpe, Wright suffered a foot injury ahead of the 2011–12 season, which prevented him from joining a new club.[34] In November 2011, he joined Championship side Millwall on a free transfer following a successful trial period.[34] The club signed Wright on a "short-term deal running until the January 2012 transfer window".[35]

On 3 January 2012, Wright made his debut for Millwall against Bristol City and made his first start before coming off for Nadjim Abdou in the 67th minute of a 1–0 loss. Millwall subsequently extended his contract until the end of the season.[36] On 25 February 2012, Wright scored his first goal with a 30-yard volley in a 3–1 win over Burnley.[37] His 30-yard volley against Burnley earned him an awards.[38][39]

His performance at Millwall led the club to offer him a new contract on a long-term deal.[40][41] At the end of the season, Wright went on to sign a new three-year deal, keeping him until 2015.[42]

During the 2012–13 season, Wright switched his shirt number from forty-four to number four.[43] However, his second season did not go so well for him, as he was overlooked and mostly featured on the substitute bench. On 19 November 2013, Wright signed on loan for Leyton Orient.[44] After making two appearances, Wright was recalled by Millwall due to an injury crisis at the club.[45]

During a second loan spell with Leyton Orient, Wright's contract with Millwall was cancelled on 5 January 2015 to enable him to negotiate a permanent move to another club.[46] He re-signed for Leyton Orient the following day.[47]

International career

Wright made his debut for his country at U16 level against Japan in March 2005.[48] Since then, he has represented England at the U17, U18 and, most recently, U19 levels. He was captain of the U17 side on several occasions,[49][50] having previously captained the U16 team.[51]

Awards

Personal life

He is the brother of The Only Way Is Essex stars Mark and Jessica Wright. While at Millwall in 2012, Wright had an £8,000 watch stolen while he was training.[52]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 445. ISBN 9781845966010.
  2. ↑ "Promising players sign pro". Charlton Athletic F.C. 23 April 2007. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  3. ↑ "Josh Wright profile 2006". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
  4. ↑ "Josh Wright profile 2007". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  5. ↑ "Barnet extend Wright's loan spell". BBC Sport. 2 November 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  6. ↑ "Stockport 2–4 Barnet". BBC Sport. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  7. ↑ "Charlton scoring across the country". Charlton Athletic F.C. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  8. ↑ "Wright rejoins Barnet". Charlton Athletic F.C. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  9. ↑ "Bees sign Mr Wright". Brentford F.C. 19 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  10. ↑ "Charlton recall Wright". Get West London. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Charlton Athletic 1–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "Charlton midfielder joins Gills". BBC Sport. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  13. ↑ "Wright extends Gills stay". Sky Sports. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Gillingham 1–0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "Midfielder Zheng leaves Charlton". BBC Sport. 8 July 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "Iron make first signings". Sky Sports. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "WRIGHT MOVE FOR JOSH". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "Wright sets sights on first team spot". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "Cardiff City 4 – 0 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "Josh playing to a different Toon now". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "Scunthorpe United 2–5 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "Josh Wright hits his first Iron goal in Manchester United clash". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  23. ↑ "Iron handed Wright request". Sky Sports. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  24. ↑ "Wright ready for Iron exit". Sky Sports. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  25. ↑ "Scunthorpe midfielder Wright admits Reading interest". BBC Sport. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  26. ↑ "Wright eyes a southern move". Sky Sports. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  27. ↑ "January move away from Glanford Park looking unlikely for Josh Wright". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  28. ↑ "Wright eyeing Iron game time". Sky Sports. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  29. ↑ "Wright withdraws his transfer request". Sky Sports. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  30. ↑ "The Only Way is Football for Josh Wright, brother of reality TV star Mark". Daily Mirror. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  31. ↑ "Loss of form cost Josh Wright his place in United side". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  32. ↑ "Murphy and Mirfin exit Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 20 May 2011.
  33. ↑ "'Handful' of Championship clubs in discussions with Josh Wright". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Millwall sign midfielder Josh Wright". BBC Sport. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  35. ↑ "From Iron to Lion". Millwall F.C. 15 November 2011. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  36. ↑ "Wright agrees Den stay". Sky Sports. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  37. ↑ "Burnley 1 Millwall 3: Wright on cue as Lions end barren run". Daily Mail. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 "Millwall FC Player Profiles Josh Wright". Millwall Football Club. 6 August 2014. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014.
  39. ↑ "Vote for Josh". Millwall F.C. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  40. ↑ "Wright offered Lions deal". Sky Sports. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  41. ↑ "Lions battle to keep Wright". Sky Sports. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  42. ↑ "Millwall agree three-year deal with midfielder Wright". News at Den. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  43. ↑ "Numbers up for 2012–13 season". Millwall F.C. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  44. ↑ "Wright Set To Sign". www.leytonorient.com. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014.
  45. ↑ "Leyton Orient make Wright call". Sky Sports. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  46. ↑ "Josh Wright leaves Millwall". Millwall F.C. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  47. ↑ "Josh Wright: Leyton Orient sign midfielder after Millwall exit". BBC Sport. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  48. ↑ "England U19s squad". The Football Association. 16 August 2006. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  49. ↑ "England open with a win". The Football Association. 28 July 2005. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  50. ↑ "Lions through to final". The Football Association. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  51. ↑ "Squad named for Iceland". The Football Association. 28 July 2005. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  52. ↑ "Police called as Millwall midfielder Wright has £8,000 watch stolen in latest theft". Daily Mail. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2014.

External links