Matthew Richards
Encyclopedia
Matthew Lee "Matt" Richards (born 26 December 1984 in Harlow
, Essex
) is an English
footballer who currently plays for Shrewsbury Town in the English League Two.
academy, and made his debut in the UEFA Cup
against Avenir Beggen
aged just 17. He received his only England under-21 cap for appearing in the England U21
victory over Ukraine U21
in August 2004. He played a prominent role in Joe Royle
's Play-Off semi-finalist making teams in 2003/04 and 2004/05. When Club Captain Jim Magilton
was made manager in 2006–07 Richards found himself out of favour.Originally regarded as a left-back, he is now much more comfortable as a midfielder, either playing on the left or in the centre.
on a provisional one-month loan deal, although the Seagulls had allegedly been tracking the player all through the summer of 2007.
Richards' loan deal at Brighton was extended by a further two months, running up until 18 December 2007
. He played 14 League games in total during his three-month loan at the Withdean
and ex-Brighton
manager Dean Wilkins
expressed his interest on loaning the player until the end of the 2007/08 season. On 17 January 2008, it was revealed that Richards had agreed to join Brighton on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.
Richards once again rejoined Brighton on loan until the end of December 2008 on 21 July 2008.
starting against Cardiff
in a 3–0 win at Ninian Park
. This would turn out to be his last game for the club as he was released on 14 May 2009.
scoring in a friendly against Ilkeston Town
, however following a successful trial at League One
side Walsall
, Richards penned a two-year contract with the Saddlers.
Richards left the Saddlers after failing to meet the deadline on signing a new deal. He contacted the club 2 days too late and the offer had been withdrawn by manager Dean Smith. Richards stated his desire to sign on at Walsall on Twitter, however, this was not possible.
Harlow
Harlow is a new town and local government district in Essex, England. It is located in the west of the county and on the border with Hertfordshire, on the Stort Valley, The town is near the M11 motorway and forms part of the London commuter belt.The district has a current population of 78,889...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
) is an English
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
footballer who currently plays for Shrewsbury Town in the English League Two.
Ipswich Town
Matt is a graduate of the Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
academy, and made his debut in the UEFA Cup
UEFA 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...
against Avenir Beggen
FC Avenir Beggen
Football Club Avenir Beggen is a football club, based in Beggen, a quarter of Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.The club were founded in 1915 as FC Daring Beggen but changed their name to FC Avenir Beggen a year later...
aged just 17. He received his only England under-21 cap for appearing in the England U21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
victory over Ukraine U21
Ukraine national under-21 football team
The Ukraine national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine.After Ukrainian Independence in 1991, the Ukraine senior team played their first match in April 1992...
in August 2004. He played a prominent role in Joe Royle
Joe Royle
Joseph "Joe" Royle is an English football manager. In his club career, he played for Everton , Manchester City, Bristol City, Norwich City, and the England national team...
's Play-Off semi-finalist making teams in 2003/04 and 2004/05. When Club Captain Jim Magilton
Jim Magilton
James "Jim" Magilton is a Northern Irish former footballer and manager, who is currently employed as Football Consultant at Shamrock Rovers F.C. after being appointed on 6 July 2011....
was made manager in 2006–07 Richards found himself out of favour.Originally regarded as a left-back, he is now much more comfortable as a midfielder, either playing on the left or in the centre.
Brighton & Hove Albion
On 18 September 2007, Richards joined League One side Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on a provisional one-month loan deal, although the Seagulls had allegedly been tracking the player all through the summer of 2007.
Richards' loan deal at Brighton was extended by a further two months, running up until 18 December 2007
. He played 14 League games in total during his three-month loan at the Withdean
Withdean Stadium
Withdean Stadium is an athletics stadium in Withdean, a suburb of Brighton. Between 1999 and 2011 it was the home ground of football team Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.....
and ex-Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
manager Dean Wilkins
Dean Wilkins
Dean Mark Wilkins is an English former footballer and the ex manager of English football team Brighton & Hove Albion. Wilkins was temporarily in charge of Southampton, after the sacking of Alan Pardew, but was succeeded by Nigel Adkins after only 3 games.-Club career:Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins...
expressed his interest on loaning the player until the end of the 2007/08 season. On 17 January 2008, it was revealed that Richards had agreed to join Brighton on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.
Richards once again rejoined Brighton on loan until the end of December 2008 on 21 July 2008.
Return to Ipswich and release
Richards made his Ipswich return in 2009 under new manager Roy KeaneRoy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
starting against Cardiff
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in a 3–0 win at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
. This would turn out to be his last game for the club as he was released on 14 May 2009.
Walsall
Richards had a trial spell with Burton AlbionBurton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
scoring in a friendly against Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
, however following a successful trial at 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....
side Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
, Richards penned a two-year contract with the Saddlers.
Richards left the Saddlers after failing to meet the deadline on signing a new deal. He contacted the club 2 days too late and the offer had been withdrawn by manager Dean Smith. Richards stated his desire to sign on at Walsall on Twitter, however, this was not possible.