Jake Wright
Encyclopedia
Jake Maxwell Wright is an English footballer who plays for Oxford United
, a club he captains. He started his career with Bradford City
, but played only one senior game for them, before he joined Halifax Town
where he had previously spent a loan
spell. He spent two years at Halifax, but after they were demoted from the Conference National
, he moved to Crawley Town
in June 2008 before transferring to Brighton in July 2009. He can play at left back or centre back.
, West Yorkshire
, Jake Wright started his football career as a youngster with Bradford City
and, in April 2005, was one of four defenders to be given a one-year contract. In August 2005, he and fellow Bradford City player Danny Forrest
moved to Conference
side Halifax Town
on loan—Wright's an initial one-month loan deal. He made his debut on 10 September 2005, in a 4–0 Conference victory over Tamworth
at The Shay
. He twice extended his loan deal, staying with Halifax for three months, during which time he played 11 league games and three cup games, before he returned to Bradford. Wright made his Bradford debut as a second-half substitute against Colchester United
on 4 February 2006, replacing Richard Edghill
, who had broken his ankle. It would be his only senior appearance for Bradford.
During June 2006, Wright rejoined Halifax, this time on a permanent basis, along with Forrest and Hereford United
goalkeeper Craig Mawson
. Wright scored his first senior goal to help Halifax to their first home victory of the 2006–07
season, in a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge
on 19 September 2006. Wright finished the season with two goals from 27 league games, before playing a further 36 games the following season. During the campaign, he picked up his first red card of his career, in a 1–0 defeat to Aldershot Town
. Halifax Town avoided relegation despite a final-day defeat, because Altrincham
also lost, but they faced liquidation and were eventually demoted, giving Altrincham a reprieve. Halifax were demoted and applied to join the Northern Premier League Division One North
, but instead Wright moved back to the Conference National, by signing for Crawley Town
in June 2008. He had played 63 league games for Halifax during his two years. After an impressive season making 41 League appearances, Wright attratced the interest of League
clubs including Charlton Athletic
and Colchester United
.
On 27 July 2009, Wright was invited for a trial at League One
side Brighton & Hove Albion
and featured during the 1–0 pre-season friendly defeat to Torquay United
. Brighton beat off competition from an unnamed Scottish Premier League
club to sign Wright and completed the transfer with Wright signing a two-year contract with the Seagulls.
On 31 December 2009, Oxford United
signed Wright on loan for the remainder of the season. Wright made 20 appearances during his loan spell at the Kassam Stadium
.
On 30 June 2010, Wright signed a three-year contract with Oxford on a free-transfer deal after a successful loan spell that saw the club gain promotion back to the football league. He was appointed club captain in July 2011 and extended his contract by a year in October 2011.
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
, a club he captains. He started his career with Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, but played only one senior game for them, before he joined Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
where he had previously spent a loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
spell. He spent two years at Halifax, but after they were demoted from the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
, he moved to Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
in June 2008 before transferring to Brighton in July 2009. He can play at left back or centre back.
Career
Born in KeighleyKeighley
Keighley is a town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated northwest of Bradford and is at the confluence of the River Aire and the River Worth...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, Jake Wright started his football career as a youngster with Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
and, in April 2005, was one of four defenders to be given a one-year contract. In August 2005, he and fellow Bradford City player Danny Forrest
Danny Forrest
Daniel Paul Halafihi "Danny" Forrest is an English footballer. He currently plays for Conference North side Guiseley.He formerly played for Bradford City, his local team. He represented England at Under-19 level...
moved to Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
on loan—Wright's an initial one-month loan deal. He made his debut on 10 September 2005, in a 4–0 Conference victory over Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
at The Shay
The Shay
The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay....
. He twice extended his loan deal, staying with Halifax for three months, during which time he played 11 league games and three cup games, before he returned to Bradford. Wright made his Bradford debut as a second-half substitute against Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on 4 February 2006, replacing Richard Edghill
Richard Edghill
Richard Edghill is an English footballer who plays as a defender and is currently unattached.-Manchester City:...
, who had broken his ankle. It would be his only senior appearance for Bradford.
During June 2006, Wright rejoined Halifax, this time on a permanent basis, along with Forrest and Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
goalkeeper Craig Mawson
Craig Mawson
Craig Mawson is an English footballer who works as a goalkeeping coach for Burnley.- Burnley :...
. Wright scored his first senior goal to help Halifax to their first home victory of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season, in a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
on 19 September 2006. Wright finished the season with two goals from 27 league games, before playing a further 36 games the following season. During the campaign, he picked up his first red card of his career, in a 1–0 defeat to Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
. Halifax Town avoided relegation despite a final-day defeat, because Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
also lost, but they faced liquidation and were eventually demoted, giving Altrincham a reprieve. Halifax were demoted and applied to join the Northern Premier League Division One North
Northern Premier League Division One North
Division One North is one of the two second-tier divisions of the Northern Premier League. It is at tier 4 of the National League System, tier 8 of the English football league system...
, but instead Wright moved back to the Conference National, by signing for Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
in June 2008. He had played 63 league games for Halifax during his two years. After an impressive season making 41 League appearances, Wright attratced the interest of League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
clubs including Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
and Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
.
On 27 July 2009, Wright was invited for a trial at League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and featured during the 1–0 pre-season friendly defeat to Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. Brighton beat off competition from an unnamed Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club to sign Wright and completed the transfer with Wright signing a two-year contract with the Seagulls.
On 31 December 2009, Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
signed Wright on loan for the remainder of the season. Wright made 20 appearances during his loan spell at the Kassam Stadium
Kassam Stadium
The Kassam Stadium is the home of Oxford United Football Club, and is named after the ground's owner, and former chairman of the club, Firoz Kassam....
.
On 30 June 2010, Wright signed a three-year contract with Oxford on a free-transfer deal after a successful loan spell that saw the club gain promotion back to the football league. He was appointed club captain in July 2011 and extended his contract by a year in October 2011.