Wright to say goodbye

Ian Wright: Hanging up his boots

Football has lost one of its most colourful characters after Ian Wright confirmed his decision to hang up his boots.

Never far from controversy, Wright is more bubbly than the champagne which he loves to drink and, after a career spanning 15 glorious years, the extrovert cockney has elected to call it a day.

They say all good things must come to an end but at least Wright, whose final role in football was to help Burnley into to the first division, ends his career on a high note.

Too many stars of his generation such as Chris Waddle, Ray Wilkins and Peter Beardsley, opted to leap from one short contract to another around the murky waters they call the Nationwide League.

Swap

But sensibly, Wright has swapped the boot and onion bags for the splendours of the media industry, where he hopes to build on his already blossoming reputation as a television presenter.

Born in Woolwich in 1963, he began his glittering career at Crystal Palace before a switch to Arsenal earned him a call-up to the England squad.

It was at Highbury where his career burst into life and Wright went onto to become a Gunners' goalscoring legend, breaking Cliff Bastin's record of 178 career goals in a seven euphoric years.

Sadly, his superb club form would never quite be matched in an England kit and although the dogged, hard-working approach for which he was famed was visible, he appeared to lack that cutting edge on the international stage.

Debut

Wright: Blossoming TV career

After making his international debut against Cameroon in 1991 it took Wright another two years before he notched his first England goal in their 1-1 draw with Poland in a World Cup qualifier.

His England career was never helped by his suspect temperament and exploits off the field. Indeed, in 1992 he was forced to serve a three-match suspension after a TV replay spotted him punching Tottenham's David Howells.

Spells at West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Celtic followed before Wright stunned the football world by becoming a vintage claret with a switch to second division Burnley.

Burnley manager Stan Ternant, who knew Wright from his days at Palace, described him as "one of the greatest goalscorers in post-war history" and will doubtless be disappointed with his decision to quit the game after offering him the chance of another season at Turf Moor.

But instead, Wright, who received an MBE for his services to football earlier this year, has decided to spend more time with his family instead of ploughing home another season's worth of goals.

Definitely the "Wright" thing to do.

Wright factfile

1963: Born Woolwich, 3 November
1985: Signs for Crystal Palace
1990: Scores twice against Manchester United in FA Cup final.
1991: Makes England debut in 2-0 defeat of Cameroon. Signs for Arsenal for £2.5m
1992: Serves a three-match suspension after a TV replay spotted him punching Tottenham's David Howells.
1993: Wins Rumbelows Cup final with Arsenal. Scores his first England goal in 1-1 draw with Poland in World Cup qualifier.
1995: Part of the Arsenal side which loses Cup Winners' Cup final to Real Zaragoza.
1997: Breaks Cliff Bastin's record of 178 career goals for Arsenal.
1998: Hosts his own chat show called `Friday Night's All Wright'. Misses the World Cup through injury. Joins West Ham.
1999: Announces international retirement after Glenn Hoddle is sacked as England coach.
August: Joins First Division Nottingham Forest on loan.
October: Signs for Celtic to link up with former England team-mate John Barnes.
2000: Receives an MBE in the New Year's Honours list.
February: Joins Second Division Burnley on a free transfer.
June: Announces his retirement from professional football.