Ian Wright on Facing Rejection from Clubs | The Players' Tribune 

Ian Wright has some heartbreaking stories. It's scary to think how close he was to not becoming a footballer. Credit to Palace for persisting with him

Ian Wright is the reason I fell in love with Arsenal ❤️

Ian Wright biopic movie... come on!

I’m a United Man through and through. But as a young black guy coming out of East London I know Ian Wright’s the truth. God bless you Uncs ✊🏾

I like Ian. His respect to his schoolteacher, Mr Pigden, meant a lot to me. He's a decent man. I'm happy that a good guy succeeded so much. There's too few good guys left in football now. But, Ian is one of them!!

A true Legend

England did him wrong. Top scorer in arsenal but ignored by England. Shame

God bless Steve Foster.....you got yourself a place in Heaven, mate!

My impression of Steve Foster has just radically changed . What a great human being .

Could listen to Wrighty's stories all day long

I'm Spurs and Wright is a Gooner, but I've always had a soft spot for him. He's a genuine straight up guy.

The Greatest striker England never had

People like Ian give me hope there’s still a tiny chance I can reach my dream and become professional

what an inspiration to younger kids out there growing up with dreams of playing. Big respect to Ian wright always been a legend 👏p.s imagine how all of those people who turned him down felt when he became arsenals leading goalscorer 😳😆

I watched the whole thing. No sob story rubbish. Just straight shootin'. Glad you made it

It’s always been hard for me to listen or like him coz I’m spurs and I hate the scum with a passion but I tell you what, this guy is one amazing character and a top top guy. Very emotional but thats why you love him, legend!

Ian, you a lovable person and most people appreciate you

Brilliant man and role model vey morning moving story.

Great interview truly amazing what you have done

Great interview. Inspiring.

I played amateur football back in South London in the late 70's and early 80's and was fortunate to play against Danny Wallace, Rocastle and Ian. Both Danny and David were good but Ian was something else. We had a semi at Moonshot, my team, in New Cross around 1981 and Ian was playing for Ten Em Bee. I was playing centre back and had the misfortune of trying to mark him. A long ball came over about 45 degrees from the goal at the edge of the penalty area. Ian cushioned it, flicked it back over my head and volleyed it straight in. Everyone was astonished. Around a year or 2 later, he signed for Palace.

Many are called. Few are chosen. My Dad was one of two lads picked out of 200 to join Liverpool on trial. He was a striker and when he went to Liverpool and they played him LB. Never once gave him a chance up front. He left of his own accord. He still has his letter of Bill Shankly inviting him for his trial

Wow, massive respect for Wright, moreso after this. He was a fantastic player too.

he has no idea how many black boys his interviews help much love mr wright

Your sadness have strengthened your heart today and I will always give you a name “Super Hero” from no where to somewhere of today! You’re always a blessing to us in the football industry!

This is a great insight for any young person chasing their dream, whether it be in sport or life in general....fantastic!

Love this man... such a legend

Why are so many great ballers overlooked!! I felt every word of this. Humbled… 💔 sometimes we all need that one break…

Amazing story of humility and overcoming obstacles!!! Thank you!!

Absolute legend. Invaluable insight. Inspiring.

Every one of his stories make me smile as a tear runs down my cheek and makes me think about being a better person 🇦🇺❤️

What a decent bloke Pleasure to watch the other side of him and the respect/response for his Old teacher was so emotional

That's a strong man if ever I have seen 1

Inspirational. Thank you.

Legend!!

This is very touching...

Down to earth guy players now should take note and learn..when you have been at the bottom and get to the very top always know where you came from..you will be a better person for it...like he said about what Steve Foster did.

Great interview.

Great mam Great player

Came here to find a video on him criticizing ole for no reason and found this and she’d a tear. What a man

Love this man

Love ya WRIGHTY!! LEGEND!! 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽

Beautiful story.

I absolutely love this man

I love you Ian Wright

I'm a Spurs fan, but I love Ian Wright. What a man

motivating

Great guy and story

What a man

I want to hear more

It's 2024 and I am still chasing after this dream⚽️ but man I have been rejected so many times in the football industry. Rotherham United turned me down once after a trial period where I did so well and a few other Premier League teams. What hurts the most is seeing my mates who I grew up playing with make it and getting all these chances and trust from clubs but I can't seem to get just one person to believe in me. My own family honestly have never believed in me at all most especially my father who looks down on me chasing after my dream but that has never stopped me from believing in myself because this dream is personal and sorely mine. Currently I am a free agent and plotting for my next move next season but it's scary after all the rejection I have faced in the football world ⚽️. I wake up everyday show up early for training, my attitude is always right and I don't have discipline issues but man in some funny way even if I so well I am always turned for some small petty reasons. I am no quitter and I will continue hustling even without any support from anyone but all I am asking is whoever sees this comment put me in your prayers. It's tough out here.

Always thought IR was one of the most genuine guys to have made it to the top of football. His interview on top gear was hilarious !!! Oh and what a striker!

They weren't willing to offer a black player the ace position. Thank you Crystal Palace.

This man is a legend man. Seriously.

Legend

great great guy

I love Wrighty! I've so much respect for him as a person. Brilliant footballer also. But Dennis is my favorite!

Very good narrator 👏🏾

Brilliant story

Fozzy foster with his head band - remember him well

Ian wright is legend.

a good man

2:30 is personel for me , thanks legend

Ian Wright Wright Wright , your the man

Ian Wright my main man

This is great!

I Would of loved if you were at Leyton Orient.

My heart goes out to you man...I grew up under apartheid

What a story. I'm sharing this. So Id always thought he had taken on Bradley and shaun after becoming a footballer. More pressure he must have felt when not getting signed.

Reminds me of how many times I got rejected in trials until I had to seriously think about getting a job and turning my back on football.

What a story!

My g

❤️

the legend

God bless you Steve Foster🙏🏿

Straight Soldier .

Never ever give up on your dreams

I am so empowered by this!! It’s sad what they do to black players 😢

Wrighty keeping it real.

Wow...

What a guy Wright is.

Mighty Wrighty! L E G E N D

Many are called but few are chosen - praise Jesus Christ and God bless your mother

Steve Foster kept Alvin Martin out of the England team. Sounds like a top bloke though.

Natural born goal scorer.

My don ✊🏽I only knew about the expenses story just now, didn’t see it in his book! And the 3x offering a trail and the rejection issues! This is what footballers and people need to understand! Life isn’t easy on your come up!

My eyes welled up

Raw talent at Palace, knocked into shape by Coppell then refined at Arsenal. I don't know his exact record at Arsenal but he must of scored a minimum of 20 goals per season every season?

Its all about race with England and aslong as this is still present England will never win shit. Andy Cole was one of those players. Now look at the current England team. Harry Kane really England Captain no chance why Rio wasn't in his time he was regarded as the best CB in the world

Lifting

palaces greatest player by a long shot

Bless sup General.

Diadora!

lacazette is alot like wrighty

Ian was mistreated throughout Great person.

It's like the drogba story.

England had so much top strikers Les, Andy Cole, Wright, Bright, Campbell, Dean. To name a few now I have seen white players who done shit for their teams got in over these people i have mentioned. And at the time these guys are top scorers for their clubs. Love England but ask these guys if they think they were given a fair chance with England and they would say no

First 10 seconds sounds like every black managers experience when they try to become manager's. If you're a Lampard, Gerrard or Neville you can waltz in to a top job.

That lazy women didn’t talk to anybody. They should’ve taken the money out of her wages for the week

Ian, if you come from SE Londonn, whether black or white people give you shit . I live in a european country teaching English at university and have colleagues from England who look down their nose at me for coming from Catford. Good luck sohn