Welcome to our latest signing: Ian Wright!
Ian Wright is a player who needs no introduction to anyone who has followed the game for the last decade. A former England international and Arsenal's record goalscorer, Ian is no less than a modern icon in football. It is also likely that he will be Burnley's first player to have advertised dubious coffee and chicken sauce, and to have hosted a TV talk show.
Now 36, Ian has signed on a free transfer for the rest of the season, after leaving Celtic because they could not promise him first-team football. As he has said he will hang up his boots at the end of the season to concentrate on his TV career, this means that he will end his career at Burnley.
Celtic's 'Director of Football', Kenny (you'll always be a Bastard) Dalglish, confirmed the move in a statement on 14th February. He said: "Ian Wright will be joining Burnley until the end of the season. I would like to thank Ian for coming here and giving his all for Celtic. Ian is a very infectious character who contributed a great deal to the dressing room and did his very best when on the pitch. As he intends to retire at the end of the season, he had expressed a wish that he would like to play more regularly. Burnley have been able to give him this guarantee. I would like to wish him all the very best for the future, and hope he is a tremendous success."
Born in November 1963, Wright came to the professional game late, at the age of 23, at Crystal Palace. Before then, he was playing non-league football. It is from Palace that he knows Stan Ternent, as Stan was Assistant Manager between 1987 and 1989. He made a name for himself as part of the Wright and Bright partnership, scoring 117 goals in 253 games, but it was his move to Arsenal which confirmed his status as one of the most lethal finishers in the game. While at Arsenal, he established a new all-time goalscoring record of 185 goals in 280 games, and picked up 31 England caps. He has also recently played for West Ham, grabbing 9 goals from 23 games, and Nottingham Forest on loan, playing 10 times and scoring 5, before joining Celtic earlier this season. He played for Celtic 9 times and scored 3 goals.
Ternent commented: "We have kept in touch, and with another old pal of his [Mitchell Thomas] playing here, he will be working with people he knows." Meanwhile, Wright himself said: "I've known Stan Ternent since I first turned professional and he has been on at me for years to sign for him, so I've finally given in to him."
On behalf of the London Clarets: welcome, Ian Wright! Another Londoner to play alongside Glen Little, Mitchell Thomas and Ian Cox. Assuming that he comes in for the suspended Payton on Saturday with no other changes, will this also be the first time that Burnley have fielded four black players?
This signing can only be seen as a statement of intent by the Club to the whole Division. We want promotion and we want it now - and everyone else had better start worrying. Look over your shoulders: we're coming. There can't be a club in this Division that wouldn't have loved to sign Ian Wright. Well done Stan Ternent for being the one to make such a bold and decisive move.
Talking of envy, the following quote made us laugh. It appeared on a Blackburn Rovers messageboard the day before we signed Ian Wright: "...I would also consider a short-term contract offer to Ian Wright, if Celtic were to release him. He is not in the starting line-up for Celtic and may well fancy the move, with the obvious inducements. Ian Wright has more ability than Blake, Ward and Ostenstad combined, and will be faster than Ward when he is collecting his pension."
Ian Wright's arrival is also likely to have a serious affect on attendances, particularly with the major games against Wigan and Preston coming up. A sell-out is predicted for the match against Wigan, so it would seem sensible to try to buy your ticket in advance.
Yes, it is true - and this picture proves it!
Firmo
16th February 2000
