Heart radio DJ Mark Wright played the full 90 minutes for Crawley in their 3-0 defeat to National League South side Dorking Wanderers in a friendly this afternoon.
A brace from striker Alfie Rutherford plus a goal from ex-Bognor striker Jimmy Muitt secured the win.
Former Albion midfielder James Tiley went closest to scoring for Crawley after his penalty in the second half was saved.
- READ MORE: The holiday which ruined Mark Wright's blossoming football career as a teen
The 34-year-old had not featured for the Reds since making his league debut in their defeat to Harrogate last month, where he went off at half time with an injury.
Wright's younger brother Josh and Nick Tsaroulla, who scored a stunning effort for Crawley in their FA Cup third round win over Leeds in January, also started.
While former Hastings striker Davide Rodari led the line for the Reds, who also had two trialists playing at centre back.
📃 Today’s Red XI:
— Crawley Town FC (@crawleytown) March 11, 2021
Nelson; Sesay, Trialist, Trialist, M. Wright; Tilley, Khaleel, J. Wright, Tsaroulla; Frost, Rodari.
Bench: Jones, Adebowale, Allarakhia, Burnett, Al-Hussaini, Kowalczyk, German.
WE ARE UNDERWAY! #TownTeamTogether 🔴
Mark Wright signed for Crawley in December last year after impressing during regular training sessions with the club.
As a teenager, he had been captain of the Spurs youth team. But one holiday to Spain as an 18-year-old in which he gained a stone put paid to his sporting plans.
He was released by the club shortly after returning from the trip and joined League One Southend.
But, again, things did not work out and he quit the professional game, playing for a series of non-league sides over the coming years.
In 2010 he was named as one of the original cast members of the ITV reality show The Only Way Is Essex.
He soon became popular among viewers, prompting ITV bosses to sign him up for the 2011 series of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, in which he finished runner-up.
Several presenting roles followed on shows such as dating show spin-off Take Me Out: The Gossip before he landed a spot as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
He has also been a DJ on Heart radio since 2012.
But, despite building a successful career for himself, football remained at the forefront of Mark's mind.
Last year he decided to return to Crawley, where he spent a short spell during the 2006-2007 season, with the intention of making his professional debut.
- READ MORE: BBC documentary shows how Crawley Town signed Mark Wright
A film crew followed his journey back to football and fitness for a BBC documentary called "Mark Wright: The Last Chance".
The show gave a behind the scenes look at the hurdles Mark faced as he tried to prove he was worthy of Crawley first team selection.
He eventually achieved this goal when he came on as a substitute for the final few minutes as the Reds dispatched Premier League outfit Leeds United 3-0 in an FA Cup clash.
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