• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Ian Wright being reunited with his old school teacher will never, ever get old

Home> Football

Updated 14:32 17 Sep 2023 GMT+1Published 12:45 3 Nov 2022 GMT

Ian Wright being reunited with his old school teacher will never, ever get old

Ian Wright was left stunned.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

We all love a feel-good story and one of the very best examples involves Ian Wright.

Many years ago, the Arsenal legend, who netted an incredible 185 goals in 288 games for the club, was being filmed at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium for ITV 4's 'Real Life' programme.

And there was a huge surprise in store when Wright was reunited with Sydney Pigden, a teacher at the primary school Wright attended in Brockley, south East London.

Advert

Wright, Arsenal's talisman at the time, had not seen Mr Pigden for about '23, 24 years' and speaking before the surprise, the teacher said he expected Wright to be of the opinion that his former tutor had passed away.

At first his facial expression was one of complete shock and disbelief, before his face lit up. He immediately took off his flat cap and uttered the words "You're alive!" as he shook his former teacher's hand. So much respect.

The former Crystal Palace striker was visibly emotional, shedding a few tears after being reunited with one of the first people to guide him in his quest to become a professional footballer.

Advert

Ian Wright working for ITV. Image: Alamy
Ian Wright working for ITV. Image: Alamy

Speaking in an interview following on from the moment, Wright said Mr Pidgen was "so supportive all the time" and that he was "kind of like his special guy".

Wright dedicated his 2016 autobiography "A Life in Football" to Mr Pigden, who sadly passed away aged 95 in 2018. He will forever remain indebted to him for believing in him.

"He had a massive impact on me," Wright is quoted as saying in an interview with The42.

Advert

"He was a guiding light all the way through my career, as people saw in the video when I was reunited with him. I dedicated my book to him and I think that was the least I could do for somebody that literally turned my life around, in respect to teaching me how to be a decent human being."

The 59-year old was a late bloomer in footballing terms, playing at Sunday League and semi-pro level before eventually signing his first professional contract with Palace just before his 22nd birthday

Wright, who had stints with West Ham United, Celtic and Burnley in the latter stages of his career before retiring, has become a familiar face/voice on our TV screens and radios, notably providing punditry for the likes of BBC, BT Sport, ITV and Sky Sports.

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Topics: Arsenal, Football, Ian Wright

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Football legend reveals he was on the verge of signing for Man Utd after idolising Old Trafford star for years

    The player represented the likes of Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan during his career but never got the chance to play for Manchester United.

    Football
  • Ian Wright admits one Arsenal player makes him "nervy" - he does "weird" things
  • Micah Richards reveals he and Ian Wright once fell out over MOTD ‘ding dong’
  • Ian Wright didn't recognise a former Arsenal teammate in the crowd who has 'changed a bit'
  • "Yes I f***ing was!" - Ian Wright hilariously admits he DID 'tap up' Declan Rice during visit to England camp