Frazer Richardson
Encyclopedia
Frazer Richardson is an English
professional footballer who plays for Southampton
. He had been Leeds
' longest-serving player, and in 2009 was the only member of the Leeds squad who was with the club when relegated from the Premiership in 2004.
campaign. He made his full debut against Arsenal
at right full-back, a position he was tipped to have on a permanent basis after the retirement of first team regular Gary Kelly. Richardson suffered Premiership relegation with Leeds in 2004. Since then, Richardson covered a variety of roles for Leeds. He spent two spells on loan at Stoke City in 2003, scoring once against West Ham.
Richardson scored his first ever Leeds goal on his second start for the club, the goal turning out to be the winner against Derby County
in Leeds' first game of the 2004–05 campaign (because the game was a 12:15 kick-off on Sky Sports, this was actually the first ever goal in the newly rebranded "Coca-Cola Football League Championship"). Richardson was then replaced on the right of midfield (from where he scored his debut goal) by John Oster
. However, an injury to Stephen Crainey
meant Richardson was given a chance to establish himself at left full-back. However, his spell was short lived after Manager Kevin Blackwell
chose to play the likes of Danny Pugh
and Matthew Kilgallon
in that position.
Prior to the 2005–06 campaign, Richardson was subject to two bids from Sunderland
, both which were rejected immediately by Leeds' chairman, Ken Bates
. Several months later, Richardson signed a new contract with Leeds, pledging his future to the club until August 2008.
That season, Richardson infrequently played on the right of midfield - competing for his position with Ian Moore (himself preferring to play as a forward), Jonathan Douglas
, and David Healy
(who preferred to play out of position rather than as a substitute). Richardson scored in the Play-Off semi final away leg win against Preston North End
for Leeds in May 2006, playing in an unusual attacking wide right position, though he reverted to a more familiar role for the Play-Off final defeat against Watford
a few weeks later. In the 2006–07 season, Richardson hardly featured under Blackwell in the Leeds team at all due to injuries. Under new manager Dennis Wise
, Richardson played more regularly in the Leeds starting lineup, replacing the injured Gary Kelly at right back.
On the retirement of Kelly, Richardson was given the number two shirt and finally became the club's first choice right back. Despite rumours of a transfer away from Elland Road
to Wolverhampton Wanderers
or Burnley
, it is apparent that Richardson stayed at the club, having started all the club's matches in the 2007–08 season
until injury ruled him out on February 2, scoring a wonder goal at Elland Road in the January thrashing of Northampton Town
.
Under former Leeds manager Gary McAllister
, Richardson also played in the left-back position, playing a few games there as a replacement for on-loan Leicester City
defender Alan Sheehan
. After a poor performance in this position against Cheltenham Town
, Richardson was booed off the pitch by Leeds fans and did not play for a few weeks after. He returned in his usual right-back position as a replacement for the injured Darren Kenton
in their 1–0 win over Doncaster Rovers
, and played well.
Frazer was appointed Leeds captain in August 2008 by McAllister, and remained club captain despite injury under new manager Simon Grayson. Richardson made his final appearance for Leeds as a late substitute against Northampton Town, this was to be his first game for Leeds for several weeks, and also it proved to be his last appearance for the Elland Road side.
Leeds United confirmed on 16 June 2009 that they would not continue contract negotiations with him due to the signing of former Northampton captain Jason Crowe
. Frazer was released due to his contract ending on June 30, 2009. In July 2010 Lloyd Sam
revealed that Frazer had never wanted to leave Leeds.
on a free transfer on a two-year deal. He scored his first for the club in a 2-2 draw with Gillingham on 20 March 2010. In May 2010 he was selected in the Football League One
PFA Team of the Year
for the 2009-10 season. Richardson was part of the Charlton side which reached the League 1 playoffs, they were knocked out of the playoffs after losing on penalties to Swindon Town, Richardson managed to confidently score his penalty, but Charlton captain Nicky Bailey
's penalty miss proved decisive and banished Richardson to his 4th playoff campaign defeat in his career.
for an undisclosed fee, in a deal reportedly worth £450,000. After the club's second pre-season game, against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
on 17 July 2010, the club revealed that Richardson had suffered an injury in the form of a dislocated shoulder "during a routine training session as he went to make a headed clearance and landed awkwardly". The new signing was flown back to England immediately for treatment, and the club estimate that he will be out of action for approximately three months, ruling him out of the beginning of the season.
He made his debut in a 3-1 victory away at Notts County
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who plays for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. He had been Leeds
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
' longest-serving player, and in 2009 was the only member of the Leeds squad who was with the club when relegated from the Premiership in 2004.
Leeds United
Richardson made his Leeds debut as a second-half substitute against Hapoel Tel Aviv during the 2002–03 UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
campaign. He made his full debut against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
at right full-back, a position he was tipped to have on a permanent basis after the retirement of first team regular Gary Kelly. Richardson suffered Premiership relegation with Leeds in 2004. Since then, Richardson covered a variety of roles for Leeds. He spent two spells on loan at Stoke City in 2003, scoring once against West Ham.
Richardson scored his first ever Leeds goal on his second start for the club, the goal turning out to be the winner against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in Leeds' first game of the 2004–05 campaign (because the game was a 12:15 kick-off on Sky Sports, this was actually the first ever goal in the newly rebranded "Coca-Cola Football League Championship"). Richardson was then replaced on the right of midfield (from where he scored his debut goal) by John Oster
John Oster
John Morgan Oster is an English born Welsh international footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Football League Championship club Doncaster Rovers. Oster progressed through the youth ranks at Grimsby Town before moving on to Premier League Everton...
. However, an injury to Stephen Crainey
Stephen Crainey
Stephen Daniel Crainey is a Scottish footballer who plays as a left back for Blackpool and the Scottish national team. He has also represented Scotland at under-21 level.-Celtic and Southampton:...
meant Richardson was given a chance to establish himself at left full-back. However, his spell was short lived after Manager Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Patrick Blackwell is an English former professional football goalkeeper who since retiring as a player has worked as a coach and a manager. He has an identical twin, Noel.-Early career:...
chose to play the likes of Danny Pugh
Danny Pugh
Daniel Adam "Danny" Pugh is an English footballer who currently plays as a midfielder or defender for Leeds United on loan from Premier League side Stoke City.- Manchester United :Pugh came through the youth ranks at Manchester United...
and Matthew Kilgallon
Matthew Kilgallon
Matthew Shaun Kilgallon is an English professional footballer currently playing for Sunderland. He is a central defender who can also operate at left back.-Leeds United:...
in that position.
Prior to the 2005–06 campaign, Richardson was subject to two bids from Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, both which were rejected immediately by Leeds' chairman, Ken Bates
Ken Bates
Kenneth William Bates is a British businessman and football executive. The current chairman and now owner of Leeds United AFC, Bates was previously chairman and majority shareholder of Chelsea FC from 1982 until 2003....
. Several months later, Richardson signed a new contract with Leeds, pledging his future to the club until August 2008.
That season, Richardson infrequently played on the right of midfield - competing for his position with Ian Moore (himself preferring to play as a forward), Jonathan Douglas
Jonathan Douglas
Jonathan Douglas is an Irish football player who currently plays for Brentford. Douglas made his debut in the League of Ireland for Monaghan United aged 16...
, and David Healy
David Healy (footballer)
David Jonathan Healy, MBE is a Northern Ireland international footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League champions Rangers...
(who preferred to play out of position rather than as a substitute). Richardson scored in the Play-Off semi final away leg win against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
for Leeds in May 2006, playing in an unusual attacking wide right position, though he reverted to a more familiar role for the Play-Off final defeat against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
a few weeks later. In the 2006–07 season, Richardson hardly featured under Blackwell in the Leeds team at all due to injuries. Under new manager Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
, Richardson played more regularly in the Leeds starting lineup, replacing the injured Gary Kelly at right back.
On the retirement of Kelly, Richardson was given the number two shirt and finally became the club's first choice right back. Despite rumours of a transfer away from Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
or Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, it is apparent that Richardson stayed at the club, having started all the club's matches in the 2007–08 season
The Football League 2007-08
The Football League is contested through three divisions in England and Wales. The divisions are the League Championship, League One and League Two. The winner and the runner up of the League Championship will be automatically promoted to the Premier League and they will be joined by the winner of...
until injury ruled him out on February 2, scoring a wonder goal at Elland Road in the January thrashing of Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
.
Under former Leeds manager Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...
, Richardson also played in the left-back position, playing a few games there as a replacement for on-loan Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
defender Alan Sheehan
Alan Sheehan
Alan Michael Anthony Sheehan is an Irish footballer who plays for Notts County as a defender. His position is mainly recognised as an attacking left back and he is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international...
. After a poor performance in this position against Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
, Richardson was booed off the pitch by Leeds fans and did not play for a few weeks after. He returned in his usual right-back position as a replacement for the injured Darren Kenton
Darren Kenton
Darren Edward Kenton is an English footballer who currently plays for Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division.-Norwich City:Kenton was born in Wandsworth and started his career at Norwich City in 1997...
in their 1–0 win over Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, and played well.
Frazer was appointed Leeds captain in August 2008 by McAllister, and remained club captain despite injury under new manager Simon Grayson. Richardson made his final appearance for Leeds as a late substitute against Northampton Town, this was to be his first game for Leeds for several weeks, and also it proved to be his last appearance for the Elland Road side.
Leeds United confirmed on 16 June 2009 that they would not continue contract negotiations with him due to the signing of former Northampton captain Jason Crowe
Jason Crowe
Jason William Robert Crowe is an English footballer who plays as a right back for Northampton Town...
. Frazer was released due to his contract ending on June 30, 2009. In July 2010 Lloyd Sam
Lloyd Sam
Lloyd Ekow Sam is a professional English footballer of Ghanaian heritage, who plays in midfield as a Winger who is comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He is currently playing for Leeds United after leaving Charlton Athletic. As a child he spent some of his childhood living in Senegal...
revealed that Frazer had never wanted to leave Leeds.
Charlton Athletic
On 9 July it was announced that Richardson had signed for Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on a free transfer on a two-year deal. He scored his first for the club in a 2-2 draw with Gillingham on 20 March 2010. In May 2010 he was selected in the Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
for the 2009-10 season. Richardson was part of the Charlton side which reached the League 1 playoffs, they were knocked out of the playoffs after losing on penalties to Swindon Town, Richardson managed to confidently score his penalty, but Charlton captain Nicky Bailey
Nicky Bailey
Nicky Francis Bailey is an English professional football player currently playing for Middlesbrough. He has also played for the England C national team.-Club career:...
's penalty miss proved decisive and banished Richardson to his 4th playoff campaign defeat in his career.
Southampton
On 6 July 2010, Richardson signed for League One club SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for an undisclosed fee, in a deal reportedly worth £450,000. After the club's second pre-season game, against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
on 17 July 2010, the club revealed that Richardson had suffered an injury in the form of a dislocated shoulder "during a routine training session as he went to make a headed clearance and landed awkwardly". The new signing was flown back to England immediately for treatment, and the club estimate that he will be out of action for approximately three months, ruling him out of the beginning of the season.
He made his debut in a 3-1 victory away at Notts County
Career statistics
| Season | Club | Division | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Football League Trophy Football League Trophy The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top... |
Play-Offs Football League Play-Offs The Football League play-offs are an annual series of football matches to determine some of the promotion places within the Football League. Essentially, each division of the league offers a certain number of automatic promotion places to the top two or three clubs. A further promotion place is... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds United | > 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 ! 1 !! 0 |
||||
| Stoke City (loan) | Division One > 7 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 7 !! 0 |
||||
| Stoke City (loan) | Division One > 6 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 6 !! 1 |
||||
| Leeds United | > 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 5 !! 0 |
||||
| > 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 41 !! 1 |
|||||
| > 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 ! 28 !! 3 |
|||||
| > 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 24 !! 0 |
|||||
| League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... > 39 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 45 !! 1 |
|||||
| League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... > 23 |
0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 29 !! 0 |
|||||
| Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... > 15 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 !15 !! 0 |
||||
| Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... > 1 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 1 !! 0 |
||||