Ian Wright autobiography to Constable

Former Arsenal footballer-turned-pundit Ian Wright is set to pen his “fascinating” autobiography which will discuss his life before and after the game, including his stint in Chelmsford prison and how he has dealt with racism.

The memoir will track Wright’s journey from a South London council estate to “one of the most popular personalities in UK sport,” the publisher said.

Wright came to the top-flight game late, just three months shy of his 22nd birthday and went onto break Arsenal’s goal-scoring record.

The autobiography will openly discusses his life before and after the game, how he overcame a "troubled" childhood, his stint in Chelmsford prison, how he turned his life around and how he has dealt with racism. The book will also look at how retirement affects footballers and include a look at British black culture in the closing decades of the twentieth century.

Andreas Campomar, publishing director at Constable, bought world rights from Steve Kutner at SKM Ltd and Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander Associates.

Wright, a pundit on the BBC’s Match of the Day and BT Sport, has teamed up with Lloyd Bradley, author of Bass Culture and Britain’s foremost writer on black music to pen his story.

Wright said: “I’m very excited to be working with Lloyd and Andreas on my new autobiography. It’s been 16 years since I retired from playing, and there isn’t a day I don’t miss it. But I can now tell my story: the way it really was.”

Campomar added: “I’m proud to be publishing one of football’s living legends. England striker and television pundit extraordinaire, Ian remains one of the most remarkable figures in football. Unlike the modern player, Ian had a life before professional football. Ian’s book won’t be the usual “A-to-Z” autobiography but something different – an honest and exciting account of a life lived on and off the pitch.”

The title will be released on 22nd September 2016.

Picture: © James Eckersley