Tommy Wright, Everton great, has died aged 81. For punters: expect short-term volatility — tribute fixtures or emotional league games could make Everton matches unpredictable; avoid long-term market exposure and consider small stakes on short-term markets (first-half goals, over/under) if a memorial match is scheduled.
Tommy Wright: Everton legend dies aged 81
Tommy Wright, the one-club Everton right-back who helped deliver the 1966 FA Cup and the 1970 First Division title, has died at the age of 81. A fixture at Goodison Park from his debut in 1964 until a 1974 injury-enforced retirement, Wright made 374 senior appearances and is widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest full-backs.
Career milestones and club success
Wright emerged from Everton’s youth ranks to become an ever-present figure in the side. He played a key role in Everton’s 3-2 FA Cup final win over Sheffield Wednesday in 1966 and featured in the 1968 final, where Everton fell 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion. The pinnacle came in 1970 when Everton were crowned English champions, with Wright appearing in all 42 league fixtures that season.
International pedigree and World Cup memory
Capped 12 times by England between 1968 and 1970, Wright represented his country at the 1970 World Cup. One enduring image from Mexico captures Pele assisting Wright with cramp during the memorable 1-0 clash in Guadalajara — a testament to the physical demands and sporting respect that marked his international career.
Tributes and legacy
Everton paid tribute to Wright as “one of the finest full-backs ever to grace Goodison Park,” noting his FA Cup triumph, league title and 374 appearances for the club. Former opponents and fans alike have highlighted his defensive intelligence, consistency and commitment. George Best once cited Wright as the toughest opponent he faced, underlining the respect Wright commanded across the game.
What Wright leaves behind
Wright’s combination of durability and defensive acumen defined an era for Everton and left a lasting imprint on English football. Beyond trophies and caps, his reputation for reliability and sportsmanship remains central to his legacy. Further details on club tributes and memorial plans are expected to follow.
Everton player wanted by UK and Euro clubs, swap claims wide of mark - report
Everton and England star Tommy Wright has died at the age of 81, with tributes rolling in for the one-club man who helped his side claim the 1966 FA Cup and the First Division title four years later.
Mail Online
