Will Richards (footballer) explained

Will Richards
Fullname:William Stanley Richards
Birth Date:18 December 1991
Birth Place:Knighton, Wales
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Barry Town United
Youthyears1:–2009
Youthclubs1:Shrewsbury Town
Years1:2009−2010
Clubs1:Shrewsbury Town
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2010−2011
Clubs2:AFC Telford United
Years3:2010−2011
Clubs3:Market Drayton Town (loan)
Years4:2011
Clubs4:Redditch United (loan)
Years5:2011−2012
Clubs5:Solihull Moors
Years6:2011
Clubs6:Redditch United (loan)
Years7:2011−2012
Clubs7:Evesham United (loan)
Years8:2012−2013
Clubs8:Redditch United
Years9:2013−2015
Clubs9:Stourbridge
Years10:2015−2016
Clubs10:Redditch United
Years11:2016−2023
Clubs11:Chippenham Town
Caps11:118
Goals11:10
Years12:2023–2024
Clubs12:Gloucester City
Caps12:2
Goals12:0
Years13:2024
Clubs13:Barry Town United
Caps13:0
Goals13:0
Club-Update:18:00, 30 June 2019 (UTC)

William Stanley Richards (born 18 December 1991) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a defender for Barry Town United.

A product of the Shrewsbury Town youth system, he made just one senior appearance, before embarking on a career in non-league football in the West Midlands area.

Playing career

Richards began his career in the Shrewsbury Town youth team, and despite ultimately never signing professional terms with the club made one competitive appearance in a Football League Trophy fixture against Accrington Stanley on 20 October 2009 as a substitute.[1]

Having also been a regular for Shrewsbury's reserve team, on his release he was offered a trial and later signed up at non-league neighbours AFC Telford in June 2010,[2] however he was sent out on loan to Market Drayton Town in September 2010 with then Telford manager Andy Sinton citing his sides good start to the season limiting Richards first team opportunities at the club.[3] He was recalled from his loan to cover for suspension in January 2011[4] but was sent out on loan again to Redditch United in February 2011.[5]

After the expiry of his contract at Telford, Richards later went on to sign for Solihull Moors in August 2011,[6] before spending further loan spells at Redditch and Evesham United. He then spent the 2012−13 season on a permanent basis at Redditch United, before joining Stourbridge in June 2013.[7] Whilst at Stourbridge, he notably scored in an FA Cup first-round tie against fellow Southern League Premier Division side Biggleswade Town in a 4−1 victory.[8] He also played a full ninety minutes in the second round as they were knocked out of the competition by Stevenage of League One.[9]

Richards returned to Redditch for a fourth time, signing a one-year deal in June 2015.[10]

After being named in the Southern Football League team of the year for the 2015–16 season, he then signed for Chippenham Town in July 2016,[11] helping them to promotion to the National League South as champions of the Southern League Premier Division in April 2017.[12] He agreed a contract extension at the club the following month.[13]

Will departed Chippenham Town after 4 seasons on 20 December 2019, and emigrated to Australia.[14]

In December 2023, Richards joined National League North club Gloucester City.[15] He departed the club on 10 January 2024,[16] joining Cymru Premier club Barry Town United two days later.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Accrington 2–0 Shrewsbury . . 2009-10-20 . 2014-02-20.
  2. Web site: Telford look at former Shrewsbury midfielder . . 2010-06-28 . 2014-02-20.
  3. Web site: Will Richards has AFC Telford future . . 2010-09-30 . 2014-02-20.
  4. Web site: Will Richards returns to AFC Telford United . . 2011-01-25 . 2014-02-20.
  5. Web site: Bucks set for Bridgnorth Town friendly . Shropshire Star . 2011-02-12 . 2014-02-20.
  6. Web site: Moors Bring in Richards . Pitchero Non-League . 2011-08-15 . 2014-02-20.
  7. Web site: Glassboys Recruit Richards . Stourbridge FC . 2013-06-28 . 2014-02-20.
  8. Web site: Stourbridge 4-1 Biggleswade Town. BBC Sport. 9 November 2013. 12 April 2017.
  9. Web site: Stevenage 4-0 Stourbridge. BBC Sport. 7 December 2013. 12 April 2017.
  10. Web site: McDonald brings back former Reds favourite. Redditch United F.C.. 10 June 2015. 14 June 2015.
  11. Web site: Chippenham Town sign ex-Redditch United defender Will Richards. Wiltshire Times. 23 July 2016. 28 July 2016.
  12. Web site: Chippenham Town see unbeaten run ended following defeat to St Neots Town. Gazette and Herald. 15 April 2017. 19 April 2017.
  13. Web site: Super six agree terms to stay with title winning Bluebirds. Wiltshire Times. 4 May 2017. 7 May 2017.
  14. Web site: Defender Will Richards to leave Chippenham Town and head to Australia. Gazette and Herald. 20 December 2019. 20 December 2019.
  15. 1735724562459840954. ✍️ Gloucester City is delighted to announce the signing of free agent Will Richards. Will joins after several years at Chippenham town, having come through the youth setup at Shrewsbury. Don't miss out on Will's potential debut tomorrow afternoon!. GCAFCofficial. Gloucester City A.F.C.. 15 December 2023. 12 January 2024.
  16. Web site: Will Richards Departs Gloucester City. www.gloucestercityafc.com. 10 January 2024. 12 January 2024.
  17. Web site: Will Richards Becomes Barry's Second January Transfer. barrytown.co.uk. 12 January 2024. 12 January 2024.