Ian Wright OBE Receives Freedom of the City of London
Arsenal and England football legend, Ian Wright OBE, was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall today. This recognition celebrates his contributions to sports and London. Ian Wright was nominated for this honour by the City of London Corporation’s Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, and its Deputy Policy Chairman, Keith Bottomley.
Ian’s journey in football began in Sunday league games while he worked as a plasterer. His talent led him to a trial with Crystal Palace, where he signed his first professional contract at the age of 21. He made history by scoring 90 goals for the club, including two memorable goals in the 1990 FA Cup final.
“In 1991, Ian transferred to Arsenal for £2.5 million, making a remarkable start with a goal on his debut in a League Cup match and a hat-trick in his first league game. From 1991 to 1998, he scored 185 goals for Arsenal, becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer in September 1997.“
Ian’s football journey also took him to other clubs, including West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Celtic, and Burnley. He represented England in 33 matches during his career.
After retiring from professional football in 2000, Ian established himself as a highly respected football pundit in the UK, making regular appearances on BBC, ITV, and Premier League TV. In 2023, he received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to football and charity work.
The award ceremony was attended by notable figures, including former Arsenal chairman David Dein, former Arsenal manager George Graham, and former Crystal Palace manager Steve Coppell.
