 Julian Tarquin Auberon Wright-Jess was born in the "stockbroker belt" town of Esher, Surrey on 30th July 1966, the very day that England famously won the World Cup.
After attending a local public school and Loughborough University, where he graduated with a first class honours degree in Sports Science, he carved out a useful playing career in the lower leagues with his unstinting dedication and professionalism allowing him to compete on level terms with others more naturally blessed with talent.
A debilitating ingrowing toenail injury forced him to hang up his boots at the age of 29 but he was already forearmed with a raft of FA coaching badges plus a UEFA Pro Licence which he had trained for while his fellow players were at the bookmakers or enjoying roasting sessions with local glamour girls.
He was soon taken on as a youth team coach by Northern Albion FC after his father, Sir Evelyn Wright-Jess, QC, had put in a good word about his prodigal progeny to fellow old Etonian, Sir Rufus Chequer-Karn, the current Chairman of "The Knackers".
Introducing a never-ending stream of innovative new training methods and ideas on nutrition and physiology, Julian rose swiftly through the ranks eventually reaching the position of Assistant Manager to Northern Albion's former boss, "Huge Reg" Williamson. Despite leading Northern Albion into the Premiership at the first attempt, Williamson was forced to resign under a cloud on the eve of the new campaign after blotting his copybook by being caught on microphone at a pre-season friendly at Norwich City saying something very sexist indeed about Norwich director Delia Smith.
After many famous names had been linked with the vacant manager's position, a new man was eventually unveiled - an individual perhaps unproven in English football but one who arrived amid much heralding North of the Border that he was the next "great one" off an illustrious conveyor belt of legendary Scottish bosses...and someone whose views and philosophies were completely at odds with everything Julian had ever learned and stood for. The rest, as they say, is history... |
