Career
Born in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England, Richards began his career as an inside right with Derbyshire side Gresley Rovers. He then played for Newstead Byron for a time, before moving on to N ottinghamshire County in July 1894. He made 74 league appearances for Forest, scoring 20 goals.
In December 1898, Richards transferred to Grimsby Town, where he made 80 league appearances and scored 42 goals, including three penalties.
He was then picked up by Leicester Fosse in June 1901. In his one season at Leicester, Richards made a total of 25 appearances, and scored five goals.
In August 1902, Richards signed for Manchester United, who had recently been rescued from financial difficulties by a generous benefactor, and renamed from Newton Heath Football Club. The club was languishing in the Second Division at the time, and was just beginning to get back on its feet. Richards played for United for just one season, scoring just one goal in eight league appearances.
He finally moved to Doncaster Rovers in March 1903, where he would play till the end of the season before going into retirement.