Joe Wright made the transition from the obscurity of the North Eastern League to the First Division of the Football League virtually overnight when he joined Leicester City from Birtley F.C. at the age of 22 in late April 1929.
Making his debut in a 4-1 home win over Manchester United at the start of following season, the Geordie ‘keeper made fifteen First Division appearances during the 1929-30 campaign, but his last game was a remarkable 6-6 home draw with Arsenal and he was put on the transfer list a week later, moving on to Torquay United in July.
Joe was first choice goalkeeper at Plainmoor for two years until Albion manager Charlie Webb secured his transfer in July 1932, and he proved an admirable deputy for Stan Webb. A stockily built custodian, he enjoyed few opportunities during his first season at the Goldstone, but was preferred to Webb at the beginning of the 1933-34 campaign only to return to the reserves in late September as Albion got off to a poor start.
Joe was given a free transfer in May 1934.