MARK Wright has revealed he regrets not making more of his chance with Southend United.

The reality TV star and radio presenter has now earned himself another opportunity in professional football with Crawley Town.

But the 33-year-old feels he should have done more with the first opportunity that came his way early on.

“I had it all at 18, I was going to clubs and I just thought it was done, “Wright told his ‘Last Chance’ show on the BBC.

“I’d been spoilt, and I’d played for Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham all my life.

“I’d never had to suffer with my football.

“I was captain of the youth team and I’d play for the reserves with the likes of Jamie Redknapp.”

However, Wright failed to look after himself during an off season and immediately paid the price.

“I went away one summer for a month, I drunk alcohol for the first time and ate what I wanted every day,” said Wright.

“I put on a stone and a half and the goalkeepers were beating me in pre-season.

“I never pulled it back and went to League One with Southend.”

Wright was named on the bench three times by Shrimpers boss Steve Tilson during the 2005/06 season but never worked his way onto the pitch.

But Wright now admits that was his own fault.

“I thought what is this? That’s the point where I look back and think it all went from,” said Wright.

“I should have been thinking right I’ve dropped into League One, I’ve got to get myself back up and train harder and longer.

“I should’ve been doing what I’m doing now at Crawley, staying out longer with the fitness coach and working hard on my days off.

“I would tell any player now, don’t do what I did.

“The hardest working players make it and that’s what I didn’t do.”

Wright, who also played non-league for Grays Athletic and Thurrock, is now back in the professional game and made his debut as a late substitute in Crawley’s shock 3-0 win against Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Wright’s brother Josh, a former Southend United midfielder, has now also made the move to Crawley where ex Shrimpers striker Lee Bradbury is assistant manager.

And Bradbury was keen to point out Mark’s arrival was not to attract attention.

“Everyone who has spoken to me has asked if it’s a publicity stunt and it’s not at all, he’s a good player,” said Bradbury.

“We wouldn’t be putting ourselves on the line by bringing him in if we didn’t think he was good enough to affect the squad.”