Camden New Journal - Sports: Wrighty's words of wisdom

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Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT
Published: 13 December 2007

Ian Wright with Michael Mekonene, Elliott O’Sullivan and Michael Patros.

Wrighty’s words of wisdom

FORMER Arsenal striker Ian Wright encouraged aspiring young footballers at a Swiss Cottage secondary school to chase their dreams on Tuesday when he told them that size doesn’t matter when it comes to making it in the so-called beautiful game.
The Highbury hero revealed to a packed assembly at Quintin Kynaston Community School in Marlborough Hill how he had repeatedly been warned off his dream of becoming a professional footballer because he was too short.
Wrighty also admitted that his son Shaun – who is now a regular in the Chelsea starting line-up – also struggled to find a club because of his height.
“Everyone told me I was too short. But I made it, and so can you if you really want to. I remember taking Shaun to five different London clubs – even my old club Crystal Palace. But no one would take him. They all said: ‘sorry Ian – he’s too small’. Now look at him.”
Mr Wright, who lives in St John’s Wood, made a surprise appearance at the school to speak to a special assembly about the dangers of gun and knife crime.
“I have been to seven funerals for this kind of badness and I have had enough. It is up to you to make the choice.
“You can be the Prime Minister, play in the Premiership or be whatever you want to be as long as you are prepared to make the journey and believe in yourself.
“There is a lot of badness in this world – but I am pleading with you not to go into that vicinity,” he added.

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