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Reality TV star in Crawley's unreal dream

3 minute read

Crawley Town have achieved one of the great FA Cup upsets over Leeds - and even gave a bit part in their triumph to UK reality TV star Mark Wright.

Mark Wright is best known in Britain as the star of the reality TV series The Only Way Is Essex - but he has now found a new claim to fame by playing a bit part in one of the FA Cup's most remarkable upsets.

With fourth-tier side Crawley Town 3-0 up against Premier League Leeds in the third round, the 33-year-old was brought off the bench as a substitute to play in the dying minutes of the memorable encounter.

Wright had played at Crawley during the 2006-07 season before seeking and achieving a successful career as a TV personality.

Having taken part in shows like "The Only Way Is Essex", "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!" in the Australian jungle and "Strictly Come Dancing", Wright has continued to pursue his footballing dream.

Last month, he rejoined Crawley, the team who used to be managed by Australian international Harry Kewell, on a non-contract basis in a move that is being documented in a BBC programme.

For some, Wright's late cameo summed up a triumph of perseverance. For others, it simply capped a humiliating day for Leeds and their illustrious manager Marcelo Bielsa.

John Yem's League Two side sealed a sensational upset by scoring three second half goals in the 3-0 win through Nick Tsaroulla, Ashley Nadesan and Jordan Tunnicliffe.

Wright was then given a chance for a run out with the game wrapped up.

Sat on an upturned bucket next to the touchline, Marcelo Bielsa stared at the ground after seeing his Leeds team concede their third goal to a team 62 places below them in the league pyramid.

For the widely admired Argentine coach, his record in the famous old competition couldn't be any worse: played three, lost three.

Bielsa, a coach who has been an inspiration to the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino, spoke in the build-up to the game about his admiration for the history and tradition of a 150-year-old competition he described as "English football in its purest form."

Among the scorers for Crawley was Nick Tsaroulla, who was released by Tottenham after being involved in a car crash in 2017 that led to him being out of football for a year.

After some time at Brentford, Tsaroulla is making his way in the game at Crawley and was in tears after the full-time whistle having scored his first senior goal.

Tunnicliffe, who sealed the win, just couldn't believe it. "I think shock at the minute is the overriding emotion," he said.

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