Mark Wright: The Last Chance

Follow television personality and former Tottenham Hotspur youth team captain Mark Wright as he attempts to fulfil his childhood dream to play professional football. Mark has joined League Two side Crawley Town a month before his 34th birthday and is determined not to repeat the mistakes of his youth, when a combination of complacency and nerves meant he only played at non-league level before quitting the game and finding fame on reality TV series The Only Way Is Essex. His dad, grandad and brother Josh, who plays for Leyton Orient, discuss Mark’s previous aborted football career and the qualities they believe will help him achieve his goal this time.

As a dream debut in professional football edges towards reality, TV personality Mark Wright admits he must combat the fear of failure that previously cost him a career in the game. Mark also reveals he began to contemplate a return to football after starring in a match for Soccer Aid in 2016 and being invited for a trial by then-Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. He admits to the difficulties of juggling training alongside his television and radio work and business interests, while Crawley Town manager John Yems reflects on Mark’s first spell at the club as a non-league player back in 2006-07.

Mark is joined at Crawley Town by his younger brother and fellow footballer Josh ahead of a televised FA Cup third-round tie against Premier League entertainers Leeds United. The siblings have both been named among the substitutes for the game, bringing Mark a step closer to fulfilling his dream to play professional football. Will it be a day to remember for the Wright family?