Billy Wright (footballer, born 1958) explained

Billy Wright
Fullname:William Wright
Birth Date:28 April 1958
Birth Place:Liverpool, England
Height:[1]
Position:Centre half
Youthyears1:1974–1977
Youthclubs1:Everton
Years1:1977–1983
Clubs1:Everton
Caps1:166
Goals1:10
Years2:1983–1986
Caps2:111
Goals2:8
Years3:1986
Clubs3:Chester City (loan)
Caps3:6
Goals3:1
Years4:1986–1988
Caps4:87
Goals4:3
Years5:1988
Clubs5:Morecambe
Caps5:13
Goals5:1
Totalcaps:383
Totalgoals:23
Manageryears1:1988–1989
Managerclubs1:Morecambe
Nationalyears1:1978–1980
Nationalteam1:England U21
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1979–1980
Nationalteam2:England B
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0

William Wright (born 28 April 1958) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre half. He played 370 games in the Football League, appearing in all four divisions, and was capped six times at the under-21 level[2] and twice for England B.[3]

Born in Liverpool, Wright joined Everton as a junior. He went on to captain the side,[4] and made nearly 200 first team appearances before losing his place to Kevin Ratcliffe.[5] He then moved to Birmingham City on a free transfer. He missed only two games in all competitions in his first two seasons, was appointed captain and penalty-taker, and helped the club gain promotion back to the First Division in 1985. He was chosen as the club's Player of the Year for 1984–85.[6] His form began to be affected by weight problems, and Birmingham released him the following year.[7] This followed a spell out on loan with Chester City, whom he helped move towards promotion from the Fourth Division in the 1985–86 season.

He played two full seasons for Carlisle United before moving on to non-league club Morecambe. After injury put an end to his playing career in 1988, he became Morecambe's caretaker manager, and six games later, he was given the permanent appointment, though his tenure was only a few months.[8]

Honours

Birmingham City

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 . Peter . Dunk . Queen Anne Press . London . 1987 . 114 . 978-0-356-14354-5 .
  2. Web site: England – U-21 International Results 1976–1985 – Details . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) . Courtney . Barrie . 10 January 2004 . 14 November 2007.
  3. Web site: England – International Results B-Team – Details . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) . Courtney . Barrie . 21 March 2004 . 14 November 2007.
  4. News: Robbie's time runs out . McNulty . Phil . BBC Sport . 17 August 2001 . 14 November 2007.
  5. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20071022170831/http://www.evertonfc.com/history/greatest-ever-everton-team.html?player=kevinratcliffe . Kevin Ratcliffe . Everton F.C . 22 October 2007.
  6. Web site: Player of the Year . The Birmingham City FC Archive . 13 December 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030330145401/http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/poty.htm . 30 March 2003.
  7. Book: Matthews, Tony . Birmingham City: A Complete Record . 1995 . Breedon Books . Derby . 136, 219–20 . 978-1-85983-010-9.
  8. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20071008135629/http://www.morecambefc-supporters.org.uk/billywright.htm . Billy Wright 1988–1989 . Official Morecambe Football Supporters Club . 8 October 2007.