Ian Wright, the former Arsenal forward, consistently demonstrates his legendary status extends beyond his playing career.
The 61-year-old has long been a strong supporter of women`s football.
Last April, he made a remarkable gesture towards a player whose career was threatened by injury, highlighting his deep commitment.
Stoke City defender Kayleigh McDonald tore her ACL in a game against Burnley. When her club declined to fund the surgery, she had to start a GoFundMe page.
It has since emerged that Stoke reversed their decision, reportedly thanks significantly to Wright`s intervention.
According to The Telegraph, he funded a sports lawyer to represent McDonald`s case.
Furthermore, when the club stopped funding her rehabilitation late last year, Wright personally covered the costs.
McDonald stated that her monthly rehabilitation expenses are approximately £1,700.
McDonald feels Wright`s generous actions warrant greater public acknowledgment.
She told Telegraph Sport that without Wright, she “wouldn’t be in a great place mentally” and might “still be waiting for my surgery.”
She believes his support for a stranger like her “should be more of a spotlight shone on him.”
This news of the Arsenal legend`s remarkable generosity follows recent criticism from former England international Eni Aluko, who accused him of hindering women`s opportunities in football broadcasting.
Speaking on Radio 4 Woman`s Hour, Aluko stated she has worked with Wright extensively and regards him as a ” brilliant broadcaster,” but feels he should be mindful of his prominent role in the women`s game. She argued there are “limited spaces available” in broadcasting, unlike the men`s game where opportunities for women broadcasters and coaches are not equal. She concluded, “I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.”
When asked if Wright`s leading presence was wrong, Aluko clarified, “I don’t know about wrong,” but emphasized the need for awareness to ensure women are not prevented from entering broadcasting in the women`s game. She stressed it`s a new and growing sport with limited opportunities, and men should be conscious of this, recognizing that women have not historically had these chances. She framed it as being about awareness and supporting women`s progression.
Wright has consistently championed the expansion of women`s football in recent times.
In 2023, he partnered with Barclays to establish the Ian Wright Coaching Fund, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of female grassroots coaches.
He contributed £15,000 and funded the Level One training courses for 664 female coaches.
Additionally, in 2022, after England defeated Sweden in the European Championship semi-finals, he passionately argued that football should be available to all girls in school physical education, just as it is for boys.
Wright stated, “Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football in their PE, just like the boys can, what are we doing? We have to make sure they are able to play and get the opportunity to do so.”
The former Arsenal forward also launched a women`s football podcast with Manchester City icon Steph Houghton last year and frequently appears on ITV`s broadcasts covering the Lionesses.
