Mark Wright named on bench for Crawley vs Leeds FA Cup tie after reality TV star reveals he cried over Spurs axe as kid

MARK WRIGHT was named on the bench for Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Leeds.

The reality TV star watched on from the stands as his team-mates faced the Premier League side.

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Mark Wright was named on the bench for Crawley’s clash with LeedsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The 33-year-old, who is married to actress Michelle Keegan, tried to make it as a footballer when he was young.

But the Essex-born star has found success from other avenues away from football, such as TV and radio.

He will still be keen to play his part and impress against Leeds after admitting his heartache when axed by Spurs.

He told the BBC: “The day I got released from Tottenham, was one of the worst days of my life. I cried my eyes out, I realised I messed up.

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Mark Wright warms up ahead of Crawley’s FA Cup clash with LeedsCredit: Rex Features

“I didn’t want to face my family, I didn’t want to face my friends. I was embarrassed. I had it all, 18, going to clubs and I just thought, ‘It’s done.’

“I’ve been spoiled, I played for Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham all of my life and never had to suffer when it came to football.

Captain of the youth team, playing for the reserves with Jamie Redknapp, Stephen Dalmat, Helder Postiga. I had it all.

“I went away one summer for a month, I drank alcohol for the first time, ate what I wanted every day, put on a stone and a half and came back to training pre-season and the goalkeepers were beating me. Never pulled it back.

“Went to League One club Southend and thought, ‘What is this?’ And that is the point where I looked back at “where it all went wrong.

“Instead of going, ‘Right, I’ve dropped the down to League One, I’ve got to get myself back up.’ I’m going to train harder, train longer. Do what I’m doing now at Crawley.

“Staying out after with the fitness coach. On my days, I’m going to work harder to get back. If I could tell any young player now, don’t do what I did.

“The hardest working players make it. And that’s what I didn’t do.”

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