Crawley Town have named reality TV star Mark Wright on the substitutes’ bench for their third-round clash at the FA Cup against Leeds United on Sunday.
Wright, 33, appeared on the acclaimed UK show “The Only Way is Essex” and was a regular for the first three series.
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Prior to becoming a TV personality, Wright spent his youth career at Premier League clubs West Ham United, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Speaking about how he left Spurs, Wright told the BBC: “The day I was released from Tottenham was one of the worst days of my life.
“I cried my eyes, I realized I was a mess. I didn’t want to confront my family, I didn’t want to confront my friends. I was embarrassed. I had it all, 18, a ‘going to clubs and I just thought,’ It’s done. ‘
“I was spolied, I played for Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham all my life and I never had to suffer when it came to football.”
Since then Wright has spent several years playing non-league football before being signed by a non-league club Crawley on a non-contract basis in December.