english association football player

Micah Lincoln Richards ( bear 24 June 1988 ) is an english former professional football player who played as a right back. He played in the Premier League and English Football League for Manchester City and Aston Villa, and in Serie A for Fiorentina. Richards is besides a club ambassador of Manchester City. Richards began his career at Manchester City, making 245 appearances across all competitions in ten seasons, winning a Premier League title and an FA Cup. After a season on loanword at Fiorentina in Italy ‘s Serie A, he joined Aston Villa in 2015. He played 31 times for Villa until October 2016 – several stifle injuries restricted his appearances – before retiring in July 2019. [ 4 ] He became a football initiate after his retirement.

On making his full England debut in November 2006, Richards became the youngest defender to be called up to the England police squad. He won 13 caps for England between 2006 and 2012, and played in the Great Britain police squad for the 2012 Olympic football tournament .

Club career [edit ]

early career [edit ]

Richards training with the clubhouse ahead of the peer in 2008. Although Richards was born in Birmingham, West Midlands, [ 1 ] he grew up in Chapeltown, Leeds. [ 5 ] Richards began playing football when he was young and he played for the Leeds United youth system as a striker, but he was released when he was round eight years old. [ 3 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] He besides represented Leeds Schools FA ( Leeds City Boys ) at a young age. Richards late moved to playing in either the centre–half or right–back positions. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] He late played for the Oldham Athletic youth system, moving to Manchester City as a 14-year-old, [ 9 ] with Oldham reputedly having a 20 % betray on article. In July 2001 Manchester City reportedly tried to buy out the article, but Oldham refused. [ 10 ] He besides attended the brazilian Soccer Schools dodge and retains strong links with the program, with his father Lincoln actually running a brazilian Soccer School in Chapeltown, Leeds. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] Richards progressed through the ranks of Manchester City ‘s Youth Team and Reserve Team. [ 13 ] Despite initially struggling to get a YTS contract, he late signed his first professional contract with the cabaret in 2005. [ 14 ] [ 7 ]

Manchester City [edit ]

In the summer of 2005, Richards was called up by the Manchester City ‘s first team for the Premier League Asia Trophy. [ 15 ] He was by and by promoted to the first team in early October 2005. [ 16 ] Richards made his first-team debut on 22 October 2005 against Arsenal, coming on as a alternate for Danny Mills in the 85th minute of a 1–0 defeat at Highbury. [ 17 ] After the match, he said it was the most memorable day of his life. [ 9 ] It was not until 1 February 2006 that he made another appearance, again as a recently substitute in a 3–0 win over Newcastle United. [ 18 ] Eleven days former he made his first begin, playing the fully 90 minutes in a 3–2 win over Charlton Athletic. [ 19 ] His first goal came on 19 February, heading in a last-minute corner to earn a 1–1 string away to Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup. [ 20 ] Manager Pearce praised his performance after the match. [ 21 ] Richards affirm on alive national television when interview after the bet on, late reflecting that “ I won the Premier League and played for England but it seems everyone constantly remembers me best for swearing exist on BBC One on a Sunday good afternoon ”. [ 22 ] Following this game, he then received a handful of foremost team football for the remaining matches of the 2005–06 season. [ 23 ] At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make sixteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions. In July 2006, Manchester City rejected a invite of £5 million for Richards from Tottenham Hotspur. [ 24 ] On 25 July 2006, he signed a new four-year abridge, quashing rumours of a move aside from the City of Manchester Stadium. [ 25 ] At the start of the 2006–07 season, Richards helped the side keep two clean sheets between 23 August 2006 and 26 August 2006. [ 26 ] however, during a 1–0 loss against Reading on 11 September 2006, he was criticised by Pearce after reacting furiously when he was substituted in the sixtieth minute and threw his shirt to the earth and waved his arms in disgust. [ 27 ] Despite this, Richards continued to remain in the first gear team for the side and was praised once again by Manager Pearce for his professionalism. [ 28 ] At one point during the 2006–07 season, he played in a central midfield position, due to limit of midfielders. [ 29 ] Richards then scored his inaugural goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Everton on 30 September 2006. [ 30 ] He appeared in every match until he was dropped in December, due to a leg injury following a 2–1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 December 2006. [ 31 ] But he made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 winnings over Sheffield United on 26 December 2006. [ 32 ] In a follow–up match against West Ham United, Richards kept another clean sheet, in a 1–0 win. [ 33 ] Over the future months, he competed with Hatem Trabelsi and Danny Mills over the right–back position. [ 34 ] however, Richards suffered a calf injury and had to be substituted during a 2–0 winnings over Middlesbrough on 17 March 2007, resulting in him sidelined for the remaining matches of the season. [ 35 ] Despite this, Richards was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year prize at the end of the 2006–07 season. [ 36 ] Although he lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo, he was however awarded the Young Player of the Season by the Official Supporters ‘ Club. [ 37 ] At the end of the 2006–07 temper, he went on to make thirty–five appearances and scoring once in all competitions. [ 38 ] Throughout 2007, Richards was linked with a be active away from City, Stuart Pearce said “ I am not actively looking to sell Micah because he has a bang-up future here. Whatever offers come in for him, it is going to take a laughably adult volunteer to get him out of this football club. I would love to see Micah stay here, captain the baseball club, and possibly be here for 10 years and carry the golf club on his back if he can. He is good adequate to do it. I have not worked with anyone so good and then young. ” [ 39 ] He later responded to the transfer meditation that he reaffirmed his commitment to stay at Manchester City. [ 40 ] In the 2007–08 temper, Richards continued to be in the first team, having recovered from a calf injury and played in the pre–season friendly matches. [ 5 ] [ 41 ] Richards started the season good when he helped Manchester City ‘s defense to keep three fairly sheets in the first gear three league matches, including against rivals, Manchester United. [ 42 ] His performance was praised by Manager Sven-Göran Eriksson. [ 43 ] As a consequence, he was named the Barclays actor of the month award for August. [ 44 ] Richards then captained the team for the first clock on 16 September 2007 against Aston Villa in the absence of teammate Richard Dunne, making him the youngest ever City first team captain, beating the 21-year-old Steve Redmond. After the match, he said it was the “ gallant here and now ” of his career. [ 45 ] Following a 6–0 loss against Chelsea on 27 October 2007, Richards acknowledged his mistakes for conceding “ a couple of goals ” on his column. [ 46 ] After missing one couple due to an injury, he returned to the starting line-up against Portsmouth on 11 November 2007, and kept a clean sheet, in a 0–0 draw. [ 47 ] Since the begin of the 2007–08 season, Richards regained his inaugural team locate, playing in the right–back situation. [ 48 ] It was announced on 8 February 2008 that he signed an improved contract to last until June 2013. [ 49 ] however, by the end of February, Richards suffered a knee injury that saw him sidelined for six weeks. [ 50 ] Although he returned to discipline in early–April, Richards never played for the side for the rest of the 2007–08 season. [ 51 ] During the temper, he was involved in heat rows with the opposition teams, which resulted in him getting booked. [ 52 ] Despite this, Richards was nominated for a second fourth dimension for the PFA Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2007–08 season. [ 53 ] At the conclusion of the 2007–08 season, he went on to make twenty–nine appearances in all competitions. At the depart of the 2008–09 season, Richards played his first base full match back from injury in the 2–0 win against EB/Streymur in the inaugural qualifying round of the UEFA Cup Qualifying Round on 17 July 2008. [ 54 ] however, during a 3–0 winnings over West Ham United on 24 August 2008, he collided with team-mate Tal Ben Haim after a clash of heads, resulting in him being substituted and taken to hospital with a concussion. [ 55 ] But he was released from the hospital after the leave in a scan came back was all pass. [ 56 ] Richards was able to return to the beginning team, starting the whole game and keeping a clean sheet, in a 3–0 succeed over Sunderland on 31 August 2008. [ 57 ] He then captained Manchester City for the first time this season, helping the side progress to the UEFA Cup Group Stage after beating Omonia 2–1 on 2 October 2008. [ 58 ] Since the starting signal of the 2008–09 season, Richards continued to regain his first team locate, playing in the right–back position despite facing competitions from Nedum Onuoha and Pablo Zabaleta. [ 59 ] however, his performance received criticism by fans throughout December. [ 60 ] On 22 March 2009, he scored his inaugural goal of the 2008–09 season with a header in a man of the match performance giving a 1–0 victory over Sunderland at the City of Manchester Stadium. [ 61 ] however, both Richards and Manager Mark Hughes played down training earth bust-up after the british newspapers claimed the pair had argued during the train sessions, insisting it was a minor site. [ 62 ] On the last game of the season against Bolton Wanderers, he set up a finish for Felipe Caicedo to score the only finish of the game. [ 63 ] Despite being sidelined on two occasions later in the 2008–09 season, [ 64 ] he went on to make fifty appearances and scoring once in all competitions. [ 65 ] During the season, Richards spoke out about the new ownership with the club that it could take four years to reach their potentials. [ 66 ]
In July 2009, Richards was diagnosed with swine influenza while on vacation in Cyprus, and was kept in isolation after returning from Ayia Napa. [ 67 ] He was able to recover and featured in the club ‘s remaining pre–season matches. [ 68 ] At the start of the temper, Richards started the season well when he kept three clean sheets in the foremost three league matches. [ 69 ] He then played a full of life character against Arsenal on 12 September 2009 when he set up the club ‘s first two goals, in a 4–2 succeed. [ 70 ] From the begin of the 2009–10 season, Richards continued to face rival from Onuoha and Zabaleta for the right–back position, resulting in his being placed on the substitute workbench over the temper. [ 71 ] In malice of this, he regained his first-team stead, playing at centre–back, or right–back when there was an absence in the club ‘s refutation or when Zabaleta was played in a unlike position. [ 72 ] His lack of playing time led to reports that he was expecting to leave the golf club, a title denied by both Richards and Manager Hughes. [ 73 ] His beginning goal of the 2009–10 temper came on 12 December 2009, in a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers. [ 74 ] His second goal of the season then came on 11 January 2010, in a 4–1 win over Blackburn Rovers. [ 75 ] Despite facing his own injury concerns during the 2009–10 season, [ 76 ] Richards went on to make twenty–nine appearances and score twice in all competitions .
ahead of the 2010–11 temper, Richards said he announced his intention to stay at the club and dismiss suggestions of leaving. [ 77 ] Following this, Manager Robert Mancini expected Richards to fight for his first gear team. [ 78 ] He was featured in the starting line-up for the first five league matches of the season. [ 79 ] During this, Richards played a role when he set up the club ‘s second goal of the game, in a 3–0 win over Liverpool on 23 August 2010. [ 80 ] Since the begin of the 2010–11 season, Richards continued to face competitions with Jérôme Boateng and Zabaleta for the right–back position. [ 81 ] Despite this, he appeared in the starting line-up, by and large making starts in the club ‘s cup competitions. [ 82 ] It was not until on 27 November 2010 when Richards scored his foremost goal of the season, in a 1–1 disembowel against Stoke City. [ 83 ] Two months late on 30 January 2011, he set up a goal for Edin Džeko, resulting a 1–1 draw in the fourth round of the FA Cup, which saw them earn a replay at the City of Manchester Stadium. [ 84 ] In the one-fourth round of FA Cup play back against Notts County, Richards scored the club ‘s one-fifth goal of the crippled, in a 5–0 win to send through to the next round. [ 85 ] A month belated on 13 March 2011, he scored again in a FA Cup pit, in a 1–0 succeed over Reading. [ 86 ] Despite facing his own injury concerns he faced subsequently in the 2010–11 season, [ 87 ] Richards started for City as they beat Stoke City 1–0 at Wembley Stadium in the 2011 FA Cup Final. [ 88 ] Following the peer, ITV, who aired the FA Cup final, apologised after both Richards and Mario Balotelli swear live during post-match interviews on the pitch. [ 89 ] At the end of the 2010–11 season, he went on to make thirty–one appearances and scoring three times in all competitions. At the originate of the 2011–12 season, Richards set up the two goals in the first two league matches to give Manchester City a perfect start to the season. [ 90 ] By the end of August, he signed a contract extension with the golf club, keeping him until 2015. [ 91 ] Richards made his UEFA Champions League debut, starting the unharmed game, in a 2–0 personnel casualty against Bayern Munich, in what turns out to be his only appearance in the competition. [ 92 ] Since the start of the 2011–12 season, he established himself in the get down eleven, playing in the right–back position. [ 93 ] But Richards found himself rotated under Mancini ‘s management, which saw him dropped from the first team at times. [ 94 ] Richards then set up two goals in two matches between 15 October 2011 and 23 October 2011, including one in a 6–1 acquire over rivals, Manchester United. [ 95 ] This was followed up by making his two-hundredth appearances for Manchester City, in a 3–1 winnings over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 29 October 2011. [ 96 ] It was not until on 19 November 2011 when he scored his first goal of the season, followed up by setting up the club ‘s third finish of the crippled, in a 3–1 win over Newcastle United. [ 97 ] After the match, his performance was praised by teammate, Joleon Lescott. [ 98 ] Between December and February, Richards found himself out of the first team on three occasions, due to injuries. [ 99 ] He captained the side on three occasions as well : twice against Liverpool in both legs in the League Cup and once in the league against Fulham. [ 100 ] Towards the end of the 2011–12 season, Richards ’ play time was reduced and found himself placed on the substitute terrace, due to the hamstring injury he sustained. [ 101 ] Despite this, Manchester City won the Premier League in 2011–12, and Richards was nominated for the golf club ‘s Player of the Year award. [ 102 ] In addition to making thirty–seven appearances and scoring once in all competitions, Richards finished the season with five assists – the most of any defender in the Premier League. [ 103 ] At the start of the 2012–13 season, Richards suffered ankle wound during the Summer Olympics tournament and was sidelined for a calendar month. [ 104 ] By mid–September, he returned to full discipline. [ 105 ] It was not until on 6 October 2012, Richards made his first appearance of the season, starting the wholly game, in a 3–0 win over Sunderland. [ 106 ] He went on to make three more appearances for the slope throughout October. [ 107 ] however, Richards suffered a knee injury during a 1–0 win over Swansea City and was sidelined for four months. [ 108 ] By March, he returned to full coach. [ 109 ] It was not until on 17 April 2013, Richards made his rejoinder to the first team, starting a match before being substituted in the 83rd moment, in a 1–0 win over Wigan Athletic. [ 110 ] however, his retort was short–lived when he was dropped by Mancini in the first team, including the FA Cup Final. [ 111 ] But Richards made his return to the starting line-up for the remaining three matches of the season, including being a captain against Reading on 14 May 2013. [ 112 ] At the end of the 2012–13 season, he went on to make eight appearances in all competitions .
At the start of the 2013–14 season, Richards said he is going to fight his room back to the starting line-up, under the new management of Manuel Pellegrini. [ 113 ] Around the like fourth dimension, Richards dismissed transfer speculation that he is leaving the club after reports claims that clubs from Europe were concerned in signing him. [ 114 ] however, he suffered a second joint injury that saw him sidelined throughout August. [ 115 ] It was not until on 24 September 2013 when Richards made his first appearance of the season, starting as master, and set up the baseball club ‘s second goal of the game, in a 5–0 succeed over Wigan Athletic in the one-third round of the League Cup. [ 116 ] A calendar month later on 19 October 2013, he made his first gear Premier League appearance of the season, starting the whole game, in a 3–1 gain over West Ham United. [ 117 ] In a 2–0 win over Newcastle United on 30 October 2013 in the round of 16 of League Cup, Richards captained the side for the whole game throughout extra fourth dimension to send the slope through to the adjacent round. [ 118 ] Following this, he appeared on the alternate bench, having lost his place in the first team to Zabaleta. [ 119 ] however, during a 3–2 gain over Bayern Munich on 10 December 2013 in a UEFA Champions League Group Stage match, Richards suffered a hamstring wound and was sidelined for a month. [ 120 ] He did not make his return from injury until on 15 January 2014, starting a pit, in a 5–0 acquire over Blackburn Rovers in the third gear round replay of the FA Cup. [ 121 ] Following this, Richards made two more appearances in the FA Cup matches late in the 2013–14 season. [ 122 ] Despite this, he continued to have his first team opportunities limited for the remaining matches of the season. [ 123 ] As a resultant role, it was reported in March 2014 that Richards turned down a newfangled abridge offered by the cabaret, leaving his future unsealed. [ 124 ] He late confirmed the news in September 2014. [ 125 ] Despite Manchester City winning the league again in 2013–14, he made only two league appearances and missed out on a Premier League achiever ‘s decoration. [ 126 ] ahead of the 2014–15 temper, Richards was expected to leave Manchester City. [ 127 ] It came after when he was linked away from the club, as his abridge was expecting to expire at the end of the season. [ 128 ] Amid the transfer guess, Richards made his only appearance of the season for Manchester City, coming on as a belated ersatz, in a 3–0 passing against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield. [ 129 ] On 10 June 2015, Richards was released by Manchester City. [ 130 ] By the prison term he departed the club, Richards was described by local anesthetic newspaper Manchester Evening News as “ a genuine survivor ” since the coup d’etat in 2008. [ 131 ] Since leaving the club, Richards believed that Manchester City will never use youngsters in the future. [ 132 ]

Fiorentina ( lend ) [edit ]

On 1 September 2014, Richards signed for Fiorentina on a season-long lend. The lend tip was £3.5m rising to £4.7m should the transfer had made permanent at the end. [ 133 ] Seventeen days after signing on 18 September 2014, Richards made his Fiorentina debut in a UEFA Europa League match against Guingamp, coming on as a stand-in for former City teammate Stefan Savić, and set up the cabaret ‘s third goal of the game, in a 3–0 win. [ 134 ] Three days late on 21 September 2014, he made his league debut for the club, coming on as a late substitute, in a 1–0 win over Atalanta. [ 135 ] On 28 September 2014, Richards made his beginning Serie A depart for Fiorentina against Torino. [ 136 ] Richards chose not to remain at Fiorentina ; he only made 10 appearances in the league and a foster seven in european competitions as director Vincenzo Montella switched to a 3–5–2 formation after Richards had arrived. [ 137 ] He besides faced his own injury business along the way. [ 138 ]

Aston Villa [edit ]

On 17 June 2015, Richards signed for Aston Villa on a free remove after agreeing a four-year contract. [ 139 ] Upon joining the club, he was given a number four shirt ahead of the new season. [ 140 ] Richards was named their on-field master for the approaching Premier League season on 5 August, [ 141 ] and on his debut three days late, Villa won 1–0 away to AFC Bournemouth. [ 142 ] During a 2–1 loss against Swansea City on 24 October 2015, he was involved in change with Federico Fernández. [ 143 ] Following this, Richards served a three match suspension after being involved in an incident at the burrow during the match. [ 144 ] On 28 November 2015, he scored his first finish for Villa, heading an counterweight in a 2–3 home personnel casualty to Watford. [ 145 ] however, Richards suffered a knee injury that saw him missed four matches. [ 146 ] His absence was commented on by initiate Stan Collymore following the golf club ‘s run of three draws in four matches. [ 147 ] It was not until on 26 December 2015 when Richards made his return to the starting line-up, in a 2–0 loss against Norwich City. [ 148 ] After the match, he took to his Twitter account and criticised initiate Ian Wright ‘s comment about the club ‘s performance. [ 149 ] Richards then scored his second goal for the club, in a 1–1 withdraw against Wycombe Wanderers in the one-third polish of the FA Cup. [ 150 ] After the equal, Richards was praised by Manager Remi Garde when he dealt with the site with the club ‘s supporters. [ 151 ] Having started out play in the centre–back position, he then played in the right–back position. [ 152 ] As captain, Richards found themselves fighting for survival from relegation following a poor people start since the beginning of the season. [ 153 ] Towards the end of the 2015–16 season, Richards was featured in and out of the first gear team, as the club were relegated to Championship. [ 154 ] At the end of the 2015–16 season, he went on to make twenty–eight appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. Following Villa ‘s delegating, respective clubs were rumored to be matter to in signing him, with an alleged £5 million dismissal clause becoming a point of discussion, [ 155 ] but he stayed at the baseball club as the summer transportation window closed. [ 156 ] His first appearance of the 2016–17 season came on 10 August 2016 against Luton Town, captaining the side for the wholly game, in a 3–1 loss in the first turn of the League Cup. [ 157 ] He made his first begin of the 2016–17 Championship season in a 1–1 draw at home plate to Wolves on 15 October 2016, which was besides Steve Bruce ‘s first match in charge of the club, but was sidelined with a stifle wound until the new class. [ 158 ] Since returning from injury in January, Richards placed on the substitute judiciary for the remaining matches for the 2016–17 season. [ 159 ] At the end of the 2016–17 season, he went on to make three appearances in all competitions. He did not make a one appearance in 2017–18, with Bruce attributing that to consistent lack of fitness. [ 160 ] Despite speculation that Richards would leave Aston Villa before the transmit deadline for the 2018–19 temper, [ 161 ] he remained at the club, although he was not considered for first team selection [ 162 ] and spend another season without making an appearance. [ 163 ] His knee issues continued to keep him out the team, and he alleged that fans abused him during this injury. [ 164 ] Richards was released by Aston Villa at the end of the 2018–19 season. [ 165 ] He announced his retirement from playing on 26 July 2019, at the long time of 31. [ 166 ]

International career [edit ]

England youth team [edit ]

Richards made two appearances for the England under-16 side. [ 167 ] For the following two years, he was called up to England U18 and England U19. [ 168 ]

England under-21 team [edit ]

On 16 August 2006, Richards made his England U21 introduction, starting the wholly game, in a 2–2 draw against Moldova U21. [ 169 ] During a 2–0 winnings over german under-21s on 10 October 2006, confrontation actor Aaron Hunt racially abused both Richards and Anton Ferdinand, leading Hunt to be banned for two matches. [ 170 ] This led the German Football Association successfully overturned the suspension. [ 171 ] For most of his exile from the senior team, Richards was still young adequate to be eligible for the under-21s, and played regularly. He was called up for the 2009 UEFA european Under-21 Championship held in Sweden, where he scored the winning finish against Finland as England went through the group stages undefeated. [ 172 ] England reached the concluding of the contest, but lost 4–0 to Germany. [ 173 ] Richards played in four of England ‘s five matches, including the final examination. He captained England U21 on three occasions between late–2009 and once in his only appearance of 2010. [ 174 ] During qualifying for the 2011 tournament, Richards captained the team. [ 175 ] however, he had to withdraw from the team for the finals due to injury. [ 176 ]

England elder team [edit ]

In November 2006, Richards received a call-up to the England squad for a friendly against the Netherlands after playing alone 28 professional clubhouse matches. [ 177 ] He had previously won three caps for the England under-21 team, and was chosen to start the match on 15 November 2006 against the Netherlands after regular right back Gary Neville withdrew through injury. It made him England ‘s youngest-ever defender, breaking the record previously held by Rio Ferdinand. [ 178 ] After the game finished in a 1–1 draw, initiate Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer both praise Richards ’ operation. [ 179 ] He scored his foremost external goal in the UEFA Euro 2008 modifier against Israel on 8 September 2007 at Wembley Stadium. [ 180 ] Richards reflected on his BBC Sport column, saying that it was a great day for him and England, american samoa well as, made it something to remember. [ 181 ] Richards played regularly during Steve McClaren ‘s time as England coach, making 11 appearances. [ 182 ] however, following McClaren ‘s sack in November 2007, Richards fell out of prefer. [ 183 ] In Fabio Capello ‘s four years in charge of the England team, Richards played alone once, as a ersatz against France in November 2010. [ 184 ] [ 185 ] Upon Capello ‘s resignation in February 2012, Richards talk of his frustration : “ To be frozen out of your international side is hard to take sometimes. Everyone wants to play for their external team, specially when you ‘re playing in a team that ‘s doing so well. I did n’t get a chance under Capello. I do n’t know why. I always asked the motion, but I never got an answer. ” [ 184 ] Following Capello ‘s resignation in February 2012, Richards gained an immediate recall to the England team. Caretaker coach Stuart Pearce had coached Richards at both Manchester City and for the under-21s, and selected him to play against the Netherlands. [ 186 ] however, when new coach Roy Hodgson named his police squad for UEFA Euro 2012, Richards was omitted. Hodgson explained his decision by saying “ It was going to be one of Phil Jones or Micah Richards and I chose Jones. ” [ 187 ]
On 28 June 2012, Richards was confirmed as one of the three over-aged players selected by coach Stuart Pearce for Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, aboard Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs. [ 188 ] He said it was an honor to be called up for the squad. [ 189 ] Richards played the full equal in the tournament ‘s open fastness against Senegal ; which ended 1–1. [ 190 ] He started all the remaining matches of the tournament, as Great Britain were eliminated by South Korea U23 on penalties. [ 191 ]

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 2005–06[192] Premier League 13 0 3 1 0 0 — — 16 1
2006–07[193] Premier League 28 1 5 0 1 0 — — 34 1
2007–08[194] Premier League 25 0 2 0 2 0 — — 29 0
2008–09[195] Premier League 34 1 1 0 0 0 15[a] 0 — 50 1
2009–10[196] Premier League 23 2 2 0 4 0 — — 29 2
2010–11[197] Premier League 18 1 5 2 0 0 8[b] 0 — 31 3
2011–12[198] Premier League 29 1 1 0 2 0 4[c] 0 1[d] 0 37 1
2012–13[199] Premier League 7 0 0 0 0 0 1[e] 0 0 0 8 0
2013–14[200] Premier League 2 0 3 0 2 0 3[e] 0 — 10 0
2014–15[201] Premier League 0 0 — — — 1[d] 0 1 0
Total 179 6 22 3 11 0 31 0 2 0 245 9
Fiorentina (loan) 2014–15[202] Serie A 10 0 2 0 — 7[b] 0 — 19 0
Aston Villa 2015–16[203] Premier League 24 1 3 1 1 0 — — 28 2
2016–17[204] Championship 2 0 0 0 1 0 — — 3 0
2017–18[205] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
2018–19[163] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
Total 26 1 3 1 2 0 — 0 0 31 2
Career total 215 7 27 4 13 0 38 0 2 0 295 11

International [edit ]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2006 1 0
2007 10 1
2010 1 0
2012 1 0
Total 13 1
England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Richards goal.[206]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 8 September 2007 Wembley Stadium, London, England 6  Israel 3–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification [207]

Media career [edit ]

Richards works as a Sky Sports and BBC Sport initiate, appearing across radio and television including Match of The Day. He is besides part of CBS Sports ’ UEFA Champions League coverage. [ 208 ] [ 209 ] As a initiate, he is known for his classifiable joke. [ 210 ]

personal life [edit ]

Richards is of Kittitian origin through his church father who moved from Basseterre to England in the 1960s. [ 211 ] He late credited his father for being a large influence on his career and keeping him grounded while growing up. [ 5 ] Along with his don, Richards besides credited his former teammate Richard Dunne for being a adult influence on his early career as well. [ 212 ] His first cousin, Atiba Harris, is besides a professional football player and long-time captain of the Saint Kitts and Nevis home football team. [ 213 ] Richards has two brothers, both of whom played football but never became professionals. [ 181 ] Although Richards likes Leeds United, he supported Arsenal because of Ian Wright, due to his bang-up character and as Wright “ made him smile with his finish celebrations ”. [ 5 ] [ 214 ] Richards said that he did alright at school and got Cs in GCSEs Maths, English and Science. [ 5 ] In November 2006, Richards was involved in a legal battle with Team Associates, who sued him for £1 million over a breach of contract after changing his agent the previous June. [ 215 ] For the 2007–08 season, he became a columnist for BBC Sport. [ 5 ] [ 216 ] During his playing career, Richards has been involved with Kick It Out, football ‘s anti-racism campaign. [ 217 ] In October 2012, he was among respective footballers to not wear a Kick It Out anti-racism jersey, due to protest against the lack of action by the constitution in the wake up of high-profile cases of footballers racially abusing their opponents during matches. [ 218 ] Richards was a Twitter drug user until he quit using the sociable network locate in February 2012 following racial maltreatment. [ 219 ] Richards made a cameo appearance in T2 ’ mho music video called “ Heartbroken “, featuring Jodie Aysha. [ 220 ] In December 2007, the News of the World published an article about Richards when he was involved in an incident in a disable toilet. Although Sven-Goran Eriksson was upset by the incidental, Richards faced no corrective action by the club. [ 221 ] In February 2009, Richards was arrested for allege assault of a homo outside of a cabaret in Hale, Greater Manchester, at around 12.30am. [ 222 ] ultimately, prosecutors decided to press no charges and the case was dropped. [ 223 ] In April 2013, Richards was disqualified from driving for six months following an accumulation of penalty points on his driving license. [ 224 ]

Honours [edit ]

Manchester City
England U21

Individual

References [edit ]