Tommy Wright, regarded as one of the finest right-backs to have ever played for Everton, has passed away at the age of 81.

The Liverpool-born player represented the Toffees at first-team level for a decade between 1964 and 1974, helping the club win both the 1966 FA Cup and the league title in 1969/70.

A boyhood Evertonian, Wright started out as an inside right playing for Liverpool Schoolboys but eventually converted to full-back after joining Everton.

He made his senior debut in an Inter City Fairs Cup tie against Vålerenga in September 1964 and it didn't take him long to displace another star right-back in Alex Parker.

Tommy would go on to make 374 appearances for Everton and eventually became a full England international, playing in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Unfortunately, the final couple of years of his career were blighted by injury but he would retire a one-club man, having only played for his beloved Blues. He was inducted as an Everton Giant in 2016.

News of Tommy's passing follows the death this week of John Clinkard at the age of 71. Nicknamed "Magnum" for his Tom Selleck-like moustache and good looks, John was Everton's physiotherapist during the club's 1980s heyday before moving back to his native Oxfordshire and a post at Oxford United.

Another former Blue, Ian Macowat has also sadly died at just 60 years old. Ian was an FA Youth Cup winner with Everton in 1984 and later played for Crewe Alexandra and Gillingham.

Reader Responses

Selected thoughts from readers
Certain off-topic comments may be removed to keep the discussion on track

1  Christine Foster
20/01/2026    18:57:55

Just heard the sad news of the passing of Tommy Wright.. great player, RIP Tommy, condolences to his family.

2  Paul Birmingham
20/01/2026    00:06:40

RIP - John Clinkard - " Magnum," and Tommy Wright, - "A"Class, defender, and unsung hero, great footballer, for Everton.

Everton Legend, on merit, and I hope Everton, acknowledge, his contribution to Everton in the mid 60s and early 70s.

RIP.😢💙🤍

3  John Raftery
21/01/2026    16:57:40

I remember seeing Tommy, along with Johnny Morrissey, at our school’s garden fete in the summer of 1968. I still have his autograph.

Tommy was a great right back, converted by Harry Catterick from inside forward, and hugely underrated in my view. He missed very few games in the 1966-71 period; indeed he was an ever-present in the fabulous 1969/70 title winning campaign. That season in early November he scored the only goal against Forest at the Park End. The win put us an incredible eight points clear at the top of the table, the equivalent of twelve points in the three points per win era.

We were all very proud Tommy was included, along with Brian Labone, Keith Newton and Alan Ball, in the England squad for the 1970 World Cup. It was a shame injuries curtailed both his club and international career. In the last sixty years only Gary Stevens and Seamus have matched the high standard he set.

4  Howard Poole
22/01/2026    13:01:48

Local lad; quiet & unassuming.
He retained the skill & vision of an inside forward but added the strong tackle required in defence.
Tenacity personified; destined to be 'one club' guy when that was commonplace & valued.
Those values have all but gone sadly so thank you Tommy & RIP.

5  Paul Ferry
24/01/2026    03:41:25

One-club-man when a good few were and it seems another lifetime. The days of chewey and the footy card. It is, I suppose. RIP Tommy. Memories come flooding back. I think he was a Norris Green lad. Liked a drink. Knew how to celebrate. Lovely man. Great player. Deepest and warmest condolences to family and friends.

And John (Magnum) too, scrunched up in one of those old-time benches. I see him now. A champion. RIP.

RIP Ian. 60. Unfair to him and his.


6  Paul Ferry
24/01/2026    06:43:08

Very nice Guardian obituary for Tommy.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/23/tommy-wright-obituary

7  David Metcalf
24/01/2026    09:54:52

Tommy would have played in the first Everton game I ever went to as a 7 year old with my Dad in the Upper Gwladys.It was a 4-2 win over Southampton in September 1969, a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon and my hero Joe Royle scored a hat-trick!! 😊 I also remember watching Tommy play for England at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.So many people involved with that fantastic title winning team no longer with us…very sad..😔.Deepest sympathy to Tommy’s family and friends, and also to those of John Clinkard and Ian Macowat.All of them part of the Everton Football Club story…R.I.P.

8  Mike Doyle
24/01/2026    10:17:02

That he was a virtual ever-present 66-71 speaks volumes. That he was selected for the 1970 World Cup squad/side by Sir Alf - which many commentators of the time believed to be stronger than the 66 squad- confirms the high regard he was held in. Apparently a very nice bloke as well.

9  Paul Ferry
25/01/2026    03:03:28

I hope you were at Southampton at home when you were 9 David!

Add Your Thoughts

Only registered users of Evertonia can participate in discussions.

» Log in now

Or Join as Evertonia Member — it takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your thoughts on artices across the site.