There was a point in time a couple of years ago when Tommy Wright was Joe Royle’s No.1 goalkeeper. However, with the signing of Nicky Weaver from Mansfield, things began to change. And to coin a phrase, that was effectively that.

Weaver quickly established himself as a quality keeper - and Joe Royle even talked about him as a future Premiership, and England, star. Wright was solid enough during his spell between the sticks, but he had none of the star quality that young-gun Weaver possessed. The fans might well have aped the Ian Wright anthem - with “TO-MMY WRIGHT- WRIGHT-WRIGHT, TO-MMY WRIGHT-WRIGHT-WRIGHT” but the Irish international was soon sitting on the substitute’s bench, and soon on his way to the Racecourse Ground, and then St. James’ Park, Newcastle, on loan. RP

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