John Wright

John Wright (30 April 1916 – 1999) was an English footballer who made 37 appearances in the Football League for Darlington, playing mainly as a left half. He was on the books of Hartlepools United and Derby County without playing for either in the League, and joined Midland League club Denaby United just before the start of the Second World War.

Football career At schoolboy level, Wright played for East Durham Schools and for the Durham County Schools team. He made several appearances for Hartlepools United's reserve team in the North-Eastern League in the 1933–34 season, he signed professional forms with First Division club Derby County in May 1934. but never made an appearance in the Football League. He went straight into the starting eleven, making his club and Football League debut on 28 August in a 1–0 win at home to Southport. He soon lost his place to Joe Hodgson, but regained it because of injuries for a home match against Bradford City in mid-October; Darlington won 4–1, and Wright scored the second goal from . Wright established himself at left half in the last three months of the season, taking his appearance total up to 30 matches, but he played only infrequently in 1938–39 and was not retained.

He signed for Denaby United, began the 1939–40 Midland League season at centre half, and was able to continue for a time with Denaby in their wartime competitions.

Personal life Wright was born in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, The 1939 Register lists the couple living at Conisbrough, West Riding of Yorkshire, and gives his occupation as bricklayer's labourer. Wright's death was registered in the Doncaster district, which included Conisbrough, in the third quarter of 1999.

While bathing in the sea near Blackhall Rocks in July 1936, Wright was reported to have saved another young man, the brother of footballer Albert Harris, from drowning.