Danny Wright

NSL Career: Brisbane Lions, South Melbourne, Brisbane Strikers 354 (49) / 1980 - 1996/97

A pacy and intelligent footballer with an eye for goal, Danny Wright was one of Queensland's most successful players in the NSL and was part of the original squad at the AIS Soccer Program. Wright made an impact at every club he represented over a consistent 18 year career in the top flight.

Born in Queensland, Wright began his junior career with Oxley United before joining NSL club Brisbane Lions where he made his first team debut at the age of 15 years and 282 days, becoming the third youngest NSL debutant (equal fifth all-time). The following game, Wright became the national league's youngest-ever goal scorer (record still stands).After making six league appearances in his debut season, Wright spent some time in England as an apprentice with Second Division side Chelsea. 

Wright started the 1981 season at the Lions before becoming part of the inaugural AIS squad. After completing his AIS scholarship, Wright returned to Lions and became a regular, helping them reach the NSL Cup Semi-Finals in 1982. The following season, Wright found the back of the net consistently, finishing the season as the club's top scorer with 10 as the club finished as wooden spooners. Wright played in eight of the first 11 games of the 1984 season before suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of action for the remainder of the season as the Lions had their most successful season in the NSL, reaching the Southern Conference Minor Semi-Final.

Wright returned to first team action in round five of the 1985 season and held down his spot in the side as Brisbane narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals series. During an inconsistent 1986 season, Wright managed to score seven goals in 15 league games, including a hat-trick against cross-town rivals Brisbane City.

Lions were relegated at the end of the season before Wright continued his NSL career with South Melbourne, signing a $15,000 transfer fee. Wright became a regular at South as they narrowly missed out on a spot in the final series before the striker played in his first NSL Cup Final in which South lost two-nil on aggregate to Sydney Croatia.

Wright became a standout for South during the 1988 season playing alongside Paul Trimboli and scored the opening goal in the minor semi-final in which Marconi came from behind to win two-one. Wright helped South reach their third consecutive NSL Cup Semi-Final in the 1989 season before the club missed out on the finals series for the just the second time.

During the 1989/90 season, Wright failed to register a goal but was one of South's main providers as Trimboli, Kimon Taliadoros and Peter Tsolakis scored a combined 30 league goals. South won their first NSL Cup, defeating Sydney Olympic four-one in the final before finishing second in the league and reaching the minor semi-final where they lost one-nil to Olympic.

Competition for spots in South's starting eleven were hotly contested during the 1990/91 season under Hungarian coach Ferenc Puskás, with Wright making just 12 starts during the regular season - scoring just once in 16 appearances. Wright was used off the bench during the finals series - including the grand final against Melbourne Croatia where he converted his penalty in South's shoot-out victory. Wright played in every game for South during the 1991/92 season and scored in their two-nil qualifying final win over Sydney Olympic before the side lost to Adelaide City in the preliminary final. 

Wright spent one more season at South when club legend Jim Pyrgolios replaced Puskás as coach and the striker helped the side reach back-to-back preliminary finals, again losing to Adelaide City. Brisbane Strikers, who were formed prior to the 1991/92 season, continued to blend youth and experience and brought the Queensland native home for the 1993/94 season. 

Spending four seasons as a regular in the side, Wright spent more time in a midfield role and helped the club qualify for the finals series for the first time in the 1995/96 season. The experienced campaigner helped the Strikers reach the first grand final in the 1996/97 season in what would be his final game in the NSL. Brisbane beat favourites Sydney United (formerly Croatia) two-nil in front of a league record crowd at home before hanging up his boots at the age of 32. Following his playing career, Wright had a stint as South head coach in the 2002/03 NSL season.