Arsenal legend Ian Wright has again shown why he remains one of the most respected figures in football, stepping in quietly behind the scenes to offer crucial support where the system failed.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright’s commitment to supporting the women’s game has once again been highlighted, after it emerged that he personally funded the ACL rehabilitation of Kayleigh McDonald following her release from Stoke City.
The story, highlighted by Alison McConnell in The Herald this weekend, reveals that after suffering a serious ACL injury in March last year, McDonald was advised by Stoke to seek treatment through the NHS.
Facing an extended recovery time and without a club willing to cover her private rehab costs, McDonald turned to a GoFundMe campaign to fund her recovery.
Ian Wright, who came across the former Blackburn player’s situation, “paid for a lawyer to address Stoke’s duty of care”. Although Stoke ultimately covered the cost of McDonald’s surgery, Wright has been personally covering her £1700-per-month rehabilitation costs.
The situation casts another harsh light on the vast differences between the men’s and women’s games. While male players see top clubs protect them during injury layoffs, sometimes even offering contract extensions during recovery, female players are frequently left without support.
Many women in professional football must fund their own rehabilitation, facing career uncertainty when injured.
Wright’s intervention is not an isolated one. He has long been one of the most prominent male advocates for the women’s game, going beyond commentary to deliver real-world change. He has launched initiatives like the Ian Wright Coaching Fund to increase the number of female grassroots coaches and established the first girls’ team at his boyhood club.
The women’s game, McConnell argues, needs more Wrights willing to champion its cause loudly and tangibly. At a time when male allies are crucial, Wright’s example stands in stark contrast to the institutional apathy that too many female footballers continue to face.