Drum: SPORTIVE 43
CF: Ian Wright
33 appearances; 9 goals
The irrepressible, near-hysterically
excitable Arsenal forward had a
frustrating England career.
Finding it nigh-on impossible to recreate
his super-prolific club form in a white shirt.
All the same, the fact that he remained an
automatic choice for much of his top-flight
career reflected his undeniable class, and
the quality of his all-round game. Has
moved on to forge a successful career in
the media, and no international is complete
now without footage of Wright punching
the air and climbing all over Alan
Hansen in the commentary box when
England score. In time, it may be that
Wright’s greatest contribution to the
national team is his son. What odds on
him wildly over-celebrating a Shaun
Wright-Phillips winner in the 2006
World Cup final?
Wrighty: Looking Dapper
Nearly 30 years and all of 47 black faces after Viv
Anderson made his debut, it now seems that colour
is no longer a factor when the national squad is
selected (even though a recent England manager,
rumoured to be Graham Taylor, once disclosed that
he was approached by two senior members of the FA
and advised not to select ‘too many’ black players).
But I imagine that bookies would give you long odds
on there being a black England boss any time in the
next 10 years. Les Ferdinand recently spoke out
about club chairmen’s seeming reluctance to give
black men a chance in management, regardless of
their playing pedigree.
Viv Anderson and John Barnes had unhappy spells
in the sheepskin and are now pursuing other careers.
Carlton Palmer is in the Mansfield hotseat, and Paul
Ince is widely fancied to take over from Glen Hoddle
at Wolves at some point, nevertheless we are yet to
see a black Englishman really make his mark in
management. But what’s a glass ceiling for if not to
be smashed? Go on Incey!
Who would be in your best ever Black English XI?
Would you favour the skills of David Rocastle in
midfield over the grit of ‘Crazy Legs’ Palmer? How
about giving Jermaine Defoe the chance to link up
with his childhood hero, Ian Wright, up front? Or
would you rather just be perverse and give Michael
Ricketts a chance to reprise his excruciating one-cap
walk-on part in the England story? Write to us or
e-mail [email protected] with your
selection.