Rachel Willoughby

Wright's father left when he was just 18 months old. The man who later became his stepfather was a heavy drinker and gambler who mistreated both him and his mum. “He was a nasty piece of work.” Affection was also largely missing at home, and Wright grew up watching other children receive the love he desperately wanted. “I was watching other people in households getting love, but I wasn’t getting anything.” He struggled to understand how anyone could treat a child that way. “And I could not understand, even with having nothing, how somebody could come in and treat a child like my stepdad treated me.” That experience would shape one of the biggest decisions of his life. In 1982, aged just 19, Wright began a relationship with Sharon, who already had a young son named Shaun. Wright had no professional football contract, no steady job and very little money. But he knew he wanted to be there for the little boy. “I was 19, didn’t have a job, and no means, but I took him on because it was the right thing to do.” “I never thought twice about it.” “He was a lovely kid.” Wright was still chasing his football dream, facing rejection after rejection. He was also getting into trouble away from the pitch. At one point, he spent two weeks in Chelmsford Prison over unpaid driving fines. “So there I am, 19 years old, with a young son at home.” “My life has never gotten lower than that.” After his release, he decided to turn things around. He gave up chasing professional football for a while, learned bricklaying and plastering, and eventually found maintenance work at Tunnel Refineries in Greenwich. He and Sharon also had another son, Bradley. Wright's priority was now providing for his family. “I’m going to just work hard and try and help my boys.” He was determined that his children would never grow up feeling the way he had. “I didn’t want any of my kids to not be loved, like how I felt.” And when it came to Shaun, he never saw him as anything less than his own son. “When I started going out with his mum, I knew I wanted to treat him like my son.” “He is my son.” Football eventually gave Wright another opportunity when Crystal Palace offered him a trial in 1985. His career took off, leading him to Arsenal, where he became the club's record goalscorer, and to the England national team. Meanwhile, Shaun was building his own football career. After being released by Nottingham Forest, he joined Manchester City and worked his way into the first team. By November 2000, Shaun was playing Premier League football, with his dad watching proudly from the stands. “I’m very proud of him.” In March 2004, Shaun earned his first senior England call-up for a friendly against Sweden. “As a dad I am so proud.” “He’s done it all of his own back.” Shaun went on to play for Chelsea, return to Manchester City and represent England at the 2010 World Cup, earning 36 international caps. For Ian Wright, his son's success meant more than football. It was proof that the little boy he had chosen to raise had grown into a man he could be proud of. “It chokes me when I think how he’s grown up and succeeded.” ❤️