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Chris Watson

Reality TV star eyes Leeds United upset after signing for Crawley Town

Leeds United could come up against a reality TV star in the FA Cup next month.

Mark Wright, who has appeared in The Only Way is Essex and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, is hoping to face Leeds after signing for Crawley Town.

The League Two side have been drawn against Marcelo Bielsa's men in the third round of the cup.

The tie is due to be played at Crawley's People's Pension Stadium on Sunday, January 10.

The match will be shown live on BBC - so Wright should be right at home in front of the cameras, if selected.

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The 33-year-old was on the books at West Ham United, Arsenal and Tottenham as a youngster before going on to have a spell with Southend United.

He also had a stint on loan with Crawley in the 2006-07 season.

But Wright eventually turned his attention to building a television career. He has also turned his hand to presenting on radio station Heart FM.

He has kept his eye in on the football side of things, however, with regular outings in the annual charity Soccer Aid matches.

Wright is determined to be in contention for Crawley's big game with Leeds.

"I'm hoping to be part of the side or part of the squad by then," he told Sky Sports.

"I'm so happy and grateful to be around it. If I was to start or be on the bench or just be in the squad, it would be a great moment.

"Leeds are a Premier League side. My greatest memory of me against Leeds was the quarter-finals as a youth team player and I scored the winning goal.

"It was the 88th minute at Leeds' training ground.

"If I can recreate that in the FA Cup and take us through to the next round it would be a special moment. People will dream. I will dream.

"I'm dreaming anyway. The fact that I'm doing this is such an amazing opportunity. I am so thankful to Crawley."

Crawley head coach John Yems said: “Mark has been training with us the last couple of months and really impressed everybody in training.

"It’s taken us 13 years to sign him back and he’s finally returned to Crawley, hopefully he can carry on from where he left off and I am pleased to have him back with his experience on and off the pitch, Mark is a great role model for players in the future.”

“I will always remember Mark’s goal against Tamworth that kept us up that season. I’m so delighted to have him back again.”

Crawley technical director Erdem Konyar added: “The Gaffer knows Mark very well. Mark will bring an exemplary attitude that will rub off on the youngsters in the group. It’s an exciting acquisition for the club.”

Crawley general Manager Tom Allman said: “Having someone like Mark involved with the club can only be a positive. As well as his obvious technical ability, having someone of his stature wearing the badge, will also shine a light on the positive hard work the club does off the field.”

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