TOWIE star Mark Wright surprises with late football debut for Crawley Town as they triumph over Leeds

Mark Wright made his debut for Crawley Town against Leeds United (Picture: Reuters)

Mark Wright has made his sporting debut for Crawley Town as he resurrects his sporting career.

The former Towie star was originally named on the bench for the FA Cup match against Leeds United which took place on Sunday.

However the 33-year-old later got some time on the pitch when players were substituted in the 90th minute.

The match was won by Crawley Town 3-0.

Viewers were surprised to see the reality TV star, who is married to actress Michelle Keegan, get some action late in the game.

The TV star is giving professional football another go having retired at just 20-years-old.

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He told Metro.co.uk that ‘pressure’ on him at such a young age prompted him to throw in the towel.

Mark was originally named on the bench (Picture: Reuters) He appeared in the FA Cup match against Leeds United on Sunday (Picture: PA) The radio presenter was brought on at the 90th minute (Picture: Reuters) Mark is giving his professional football career another shot (Picture: Reuters) The TV star is giving his football career another shot (Picture: Reuters)

‘I think becoming a football player at a young age shapes you into being a strong man, because you have to take a lot of knocks. As well as the highs come the knocks,’ he said.

‘When I see people, trolls on Instagram for an example, which sometimes happens to everyone, my skin is too thick to allow it to bother me because I’ve been in football.

Mark was taken off the bench during the match (Picture: PA)

‘I’ve been released from football clubs, I have had managers scream at me and tell me I’m not good enough. So you kind of grow up and it makes you a stronger man.’

Football runs in the radio presenter’s family, as brother Josh has experience playing for Leyton Orient in League Two.

Mark told us: ‘He has given me loads of advice, he’s been around the block. There’s no one better to ask than my brother, we’re so close and he’s been with me every step of the way.‘There’s no competitiveness at all, we just want each other to succeed.’

Mark let the cameras follow him on his journey after signing to Crawley Town on a non-contract basis in December, for the BBC documentary series Mark Wright: The Last Chance.

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