Billy Wright

Billy Wright (born 4 November 1962) is a former footballer who played as a striker. His senior career included stints with Burnley, Dundalk as well as National Soccer League clubs Blacktown City Demons, West Adelaide and Morwell Falcons. Born in England, he represented the New Zealand national team at international level.

Club career

Wright was perhaps best known for his three separate stints with the Morwell Falcons - first joining the club in 1989, where he played a pivotal role in a dynamic partnership with Croatian striker Darko Basara. The pair combined for 19 league goals as the Falcons broke through for their second Victorian state championship in six years. He also hit a memorable hat-trick in just 24 minutes against Maribyrnong Polonia in the second round of the Dockerty Cup.

He then signed for West Adelaide - the very club who defeated Morwell for promotion to the National Soccer League in 1989.

He would rejoin Morwell in 1992 for their final season in the Victorian State League, scoring nine goals in 22 games, taking his record of State League goals to 26 in 57 games across three seasons with the Gippsland club.

The Falcons would then make their national debut in the National Soccer League in October 1992 and Wright played a pivotal role in their first season in the top flight, scoring nine goals in 25 games to finish equal top-scorer with Sasha Becvinovski.

He would come back to the Latrobe Valley in 1996 for a final season, although by then he was in his mid-30s and spent much of his time mentoring future Socceroos international Archie Thompson. Across three State League and two NSL seasons, Wright ended up with 95 games and 35 goals for the Falcons.

Despite playing as a sweeper in his final season with the Falcons, Wright would finish his career as a striker in the lower divisions of Victorian football and still remained particularly prolific into his late 30's.

Managerial career

Wright's first foray into management was with Victorian Provisional League Division 2 club Newborough-Yallourn United, who he took over in 1994. After being relegated from Provisional League Division 1 the year before, the Combine were relegated again, going winless and garnering just two points in a miserable campaign.

Wright switched to crosstown rivals Moe United, who played in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, taking over in 1995. Wright had better luck with the Red Devils, taking them to equal third.

He would then spend another year as a manager in 1998, this time with another of his old clubs, South Dandenong.

International career Wright made his full debut for New Zealand in a 2–0 win over Saudi Arabia on 21 June 1988 and ended his international playing career having played 26 times for the All Whites, including 15 A-internationals in which he scored 9 goals, his final official cap being in a 1–0 loss to Australia on 30 May 1993. Wright has since moved to coaching where he has found his calling combining his talent and love of the game with his tough play style.

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 23 June 1988 Melbourne, Australia 2–0 3–2 Friendly 2. 11 December 1988 Wellington, New Zealand 1–0 4–0 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification 3. 15 December 1988 Auckland, New Zealand 1–0 4–1 4. 2 April 1989 2–0 2–0 5. 9 April 1989 1–1 2–2 6. 7 June 1992 Christchurch, New Zealand 1–0 3–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification 7. 3–0 8. 24 May 1993 Palmerston North, New Zealand ?–0 5–0 Friendly 9. ?–0