The centre half’s association with the O’s began in the early 1930’s when he joined the club as a player. His sole first team appearance came on 10th October 1931 in a Division Three (South) match at home to Torquay United; Jack Fowler scored Orient’s only goal in a 3-1 loss.
Wright remained on the club’s books for the next four years and ahead of the 1934-35 season took up the role of assistant trainer, aiding head trainer Sid White. When White departed the club in 1939, manager Tom Halsey appointed Wright as head trainer. Then, when Halsey himself resigned in November 1939, Wright found himself promoted again, this time finding himself as first team manager.
Wright had an unenviable task over the years that followed, attempting to collate teams while most able bodied young men were overseas in the forces and helping the country in their attempt to win the Second World War. He mostly relied on guest players, sometimes inviting spectators from the crowd at the last minute. On eighteen occasions, Wright fielded himself, despite being over forty years old; in two particularly desperate instances he found himself playing in goal.
In August 1945, after six years at the helm, Wright stepped down as manager, but remained at the club as a coach, before finally leaving in March 1948 to join local non-league side Chingford as manager. However, recognising his supreme efforts during his nearly two decades of service, the O’s soon granted Wright a testimonial in May 1949, which he shared alongside player Fred Bartlett, another long-standing servant of the club.
