WRIGHT’S BADGE OF REGRET...
IAN WRIGHT ended his playing career with 387 goals for seven clubs, plus nine goals in 33 caps for England – and one regret.
Rejected by Brighton as a teenager, Wright needed convincing to go for a trial at Crystal Palace.
The then 21-year-old striker thought his future was as a plasterer, before finally agreeing to go for a trial at Selhurst Park.
He went on to score 118 goals for the Eagles, helped them to an FA Cup final and third in the top flight before leaving for Arsenal in September, 1991 for a fee of £2.5million.
The following season he tormented his former club.
Wright admits he “celebrated hard” after scoring in a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park, his reaction to Palace fans being “really nasty”.
And he scored in both legs of a League Cup semi-final between the sides before helping the Gunners lift the trophy.
Worse was to follow for Palace fans.
Steve Coppell (right) took his Eagles side to Highbury for the final game of the season, knowing a point would keep them up.
But, if they lost AND Oldham beat Southampton, the Latics would stay up on goal difference, and Palace would be relegated.
Arsenal – and one player – seemed determined to send Palace down. The opening goal came in the eighth minute and there was no stopping Wright as he walloped a left-foot shot past Nigel Martyn.
Wright said: “I recall Nigel saying, ‘What are you doing, Wrighty? You’re going to send us down’.”
The Gunners legend later said he regretted showing his joy in front of the Palace fans and kissing the badge on his shirt.
With eight minutes left, Palace fell further behind. Wright was the creator, muscling in between Martyn and Eric Young to tee up sub Paul Dickov for a goal.
Oldham were beating Saints 4-3 and Kevin Campbell made sure for the Gunners with a late third goal.
Campbell ploughed through three defenders and steered a rightfoot shot into the corner.
Southampton could not find an equaliser. Palace were down.