Ebbsfleet United midfielder Josh Wright thanks club for support after second son was born 12 weeks early

Ebbsfleet’s Josh Wright has thanked the club for their support after his second son was born prematurely last month.

Wright’s wife Hollie had their second boy 12 weeks early, weighing just 2.4lbs, on February 11 but the 33-year-old midfielder has carried on with the day job, knowing it is helping him get through a difficult period.

He was back in action for the Fleet during Saturday’s goalless draw with Hemel Hempstead at Stonebridge Road. Wright carried his first son, also named Josh, onto the pitch when the teams came out and spoke openly about the tough time his family has been going through.

“It hasn’t been easy but these things happen in life,” he said. “I’m not the type of person whatever’s gone on in my life from when I was young and to the adult I am now, I’ve never been one to want to sit indoors and mope around as I think things through too much.

“My wife actually came to the game with our eldest who was only one last week and she’s had to leave early as she’s had to shoot back to the hospital. We were at the hospital this morning ourselves together, I was doing my pre-match at the hospital because it is what it is.

“But I’m doing what I can to help support my team-mates, this football club, the fans, the gaffer, the people that have put the trust in me.”

Speaking on Saturday, Wright added: “The hospital’s been amazing. It’s three weeks today he was born, it was the day of the Bath game where I believe I was due to be playing. I was keeping dialogue with the club and in the end we were in the hospital for 72 hours and Hollie, my wife, went through hell.

“But the hospital did amazing, they protected her, protected the baby and they’re looking after the baby incredibly well now and on the whole he’s doing well.

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