Mark Wright

Oxford United

Wright began his career with Oxford United, eventually signing his first professional contract in August 1980. He was handed his first team debut at the age of 16 by manager Ian Greaves when the club were playing in the Third Division. The tall central defender made only ten appearances for the club, all of which came in his second season as a professional, when he helped Oxford finish fifth in the league. Wright did not finish the 1981–82 campaign with Oxford, however, as on 25 March 1982 (deadline day) he was transferred to Southampton, who were then playing in the top flight of English football. Wright moved to Southampton for a transfer fee of £80,000 along with Oxford United forward Keith Cassells in a deal that saw Trevor Hebberd move the other way.

Southampton

Wright was only 18 when he arrived at the Dell and the Saints were flying high at the top of the table under manager Lawrie McMenemy. He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road on 17 April 1982, a game which saw two Saints legends, Kevin Keegan and David Armstrong, score the goals. He featured in two of the Saints' remaining five league matches that season as Southampton eventually finished seventh in the league and qualified for the UEFA Cup. In the 1982–83 season, Wright's first full campaign with the club, the Saints finished 12th in the old First Division. Wright scored his first league goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Luton Town at The…

Wright was seen as a tough central defender who was good on the ball and an excellent reader of the game. Former Derby and England centre back Roy McFarland, who was Derby's assistant manager when Wright was at the club, said that he "had it all – power, pace, control". Ex-Derby midfielder Craig Ramage praised his former teammate as "a real leader" who was "dominant in the air, composed with the ball at his feet and great in the tackle." Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said Wright was "very cool under pressure" and was like "hard rock" in defence. His "smooth" playing style has also been compared to Alan Hansen, the former Liverpool captain he was brought in to help replace at Anfield.

Southport

Wright took on his first managerial role at Southport in December 1999. At the time the club were in the relegation positions in the Football Conference but Wright successfully steered his side to ninth in the table by the season's end. In his first full campaign, Wright did even better as the club finished fourth in the standings.

Oxford United

Wright left Southport in the summer of 2001 to take over at Oxford United, where he had started his playing career. The club had just been relegated to the Third Division but Wright resigned at the end of November 2001 hours before he was fined by the Football Association and given a four match touchline ban for verbally abusing a referee. Wright said he was not told that the charges included a "racial element" and denied making such comments. The FA said the first of two offensive remarks reported had not been heard by the match referee and its disciplinary commission said they were "not satisfied that the first remark had taken place."

Chester City

Wright soon found another job in the Conference and was named manager of Chester City in January 2002. The club were second bottom of the table when Wright took over but he guided them to safety. In the 2002–03 season, Chester came close to promotion but they lost their Conference play-off semi-final to Doncaster Rovers in a penalty shootout. After that defeat Wright vowed his side would "come back stronger" and the following season they won the…

Wright was born in Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire. He said he got into professional football late because he had stayed in school an extra year in order to get qualifications to become a PE teacher.