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==