Jeff Wright - Player Profile

Jeffrey Kenneth Wright was born in Alston, Cumbria on the 23^rd June 1952. A cultured and vastly under-rated midfielder, Jeff spent the majority of his playing career at Wigan Athletic.

Jeff Wright began his footballing life playing for a number of local football clubs before joining Kendal-based club Netherfield in the Northern Premier league. In February 1974, Wright was signed by Latics for a reported transfer fee between £1,200 and £2,000.

Wright helped Wigan to win the Northern Premier League title in 1974-75, and was part of the team that were elected into the Football League in 1978. He played in the club's first ever League game against Hereford United on 19^th August 1978 and was an ever-present in the club's 46 league games during that  inaugural season. He went on to make 139 League appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals.

Wright returned to non-league football in 1982, and went on to play for Barrow, Prudhoe East End, Gretna, Consett and Penrith. He was appointed as Penrith's manager in 1989, but resigned a year later.

After retiring from professional football, Wright moved to Bellingham in Northumberland where he worked for an insurance company before later setting up his own business.

Jeff, possibly because of his somewhat languid style of play was often unfairly scapegoated by some sections of the Wigan fans but on his day, he was a match-winner, with a keen eye for a killer pass and a goal scoring opportunity.