City scorer swaps tackling players for tackling crime
ONCE AN ARRESTING SIGHT ON PITCH, TOMMY NOW OUT TO NET COUNTY CRIMINALS
I needed something rewarding, that would provide me with a role my friends and family would be proud of
Tommy Wright
News Reporter
A former Leicester City goalscorer who also played for England is swapping tackling other players for a life tackling crime.
Tommy Wright, who played for the Foxes in 2002, has become a trainee officer with Leicestershire Police.
Tommy, 36, who lives in Kirby Muxloe, had a long career in football, playing for England in the 2003 Under-19s European Championships and the Under-20s FIFA World Championships.
He made his debut for Leicester City just six months after leaving school, playing as a forward in a match against Leeds United. He was only 17.
The following season, he scored the winning goal against Nottingham Forest in 2003.
As well as Leicester City, Tommy’s career took him to teams including Barnsley, Brentford, Blackpool and Aberdeen, playing more than 250 professional matches in total.
Later in his career he worked as a coach and manager.
Commenting on his previous experience and all that lies ahead, Tommy said: “I worked in football for 20 years and every part of it was a dream come true.
“I feel very fortunate to have been involved in it as a player, a coach and a manager, which was something I had always wanted to achieve.
“I have always worked as part of a team, and that along with communication skills and people management, have set me on the right path to become a police officer.” Tommy’s managerial career took off in 2013, winning the Southern Premier with Corby Town during the 2014-15 season.
During 2016-17 he joined Nuneaton Town as player/coach, becoming manager later on that year. He was then headhunted by Darlington in 2017 before becoming manager of Stratford Town. He then briefly returned to Corby Town while also managing the education programme for Mansfield Town at Brooksby Melton College, before leaving to join the force.
He said: “I was coaching at Mansfield Town when my wife came across the police officer recruitment advert.
“It caught my eye because, even though I loved being involved in football, I instantly knew this was what I wanted to do next.
“I felt like I had achieved everything I set out to do within football and once the process started to become an officer and I progressed through each stage I grew more and more excited about the prospect of joining the police.
“I had wanted to try something new for a while but I needed something that was rewarding, that would challenge me and provide me with a role that my friends and family would be proud of.
“I was lucky enough to represent my hometown by playing for Leicester City and to now be given the opportunity to represent Leicestershire Police is something I am immensely proud of.
“In one way it’s like starting again, I’ve got a lot of experience to gain but also a lot to share.” Tommy is the third former Leicester City player to join Leicestershire Police as an officer.
If any other members of the squad want a career change they can apply, along with anyone else interested in a career with the police, by visiting: