Gary Richards

Infobox Football biography
playername = Gary Richards


fullname = Gary Vivian Richards
height =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1963|8|2|df=y
cityofbirth = Swansea
countryofbirth = Wales
currentclub = Retired
clubnumber =
position = Defender
youthyears =
youthclubs = Swansea City
years = 1981-1985
1985
1985-1986
1985-1986
1986-1987
clubs =Swansea City
Jönköpings Södra IF
Lincoln City
Cambridge United
Torquay United
caps(goals) = 66 (1)

07 (0)
08 (0)
25 (1)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 19:48, 27 April 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = :"For the US radio host and soccer commentator, see Champions Soccer Radio Network"Gary Richards (born 2 August 1963) is a former Welsh footballer.

Richards began his career with hometown club Swansea City, turning professional in August 1981. He made his first team debut at the end of the 1981-82 season in Swansea's 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa. He would appear 15 times the following season as Swansea suffered relegation from the First Division and would also feature in Swansea's 1983 Welsh Cup final success when the Swans defeated Wrexham 4-1. Richards was a regular the following season, appearing 34 times, but Swansea slipped to a second successive relegation. He reached only 16 appearances in the 1984-85 season, departing Swansea at the end of the season for a spell in Sweden with Jönköpings Södra IF.

Returning to the Football League, Richards linked up with Lincoln City, making his debut in the 1-1 home draw with Bristol City on 6 November, 1985. Following the sacking of Lincoln's manager John Pickering in December, Richards found himself out of favour with the new manager George Kerr and moved on to Cambridge United.

In July 1986 he moved on to Torquay United where a serious injury caused the end of his professional career. He moved into the non-league ranks and played for Newport County in their ill-fated 1988-89 season before enjoying spells with Llanelli, Saltash United, Stroud, Barry Town and Haverfordwest County.

He resides in Swansea where he has been employed as a postman. [cite web
title=Swansea City Past Players - R
url=http://www.swanseacity.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Legends/0,,10354~1284908,00.html
publisher=Swansea City Official Web-site
date=10 November, 2007
accessdate=2008-04-30] He has been involved with youth football coaching for a number of years, particularly with the Swansea City Bravehearts, a football club for children with disabilities. Richards was involved with the club from its beginning in 2000 and is presently Head Coach and Chairperson. [cite web
title=Swansea City Bravehearts: History of the Bravehearts
url=http://beehive.thisissouthwales.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=12698&PageID=77471
publisher=The South Wales Beehive
accessdate=2008-04-30] In 2003 he was awarded City of Swansea Coach of the Year for his work with the Bravehearts. [cite web
title=Hayley tops in Swansea a third time
url=http://www.swanseaharriers.co.uk/index/HAYLEY%20TOPS%20IN%20SWANSEA%20A%20THIRD%20TIME.htm
date=27 September, 2003
publisher=Swansea Harriers AC
accessdate=2008-04-30] He is also a coach within Swansea City's Centre of Excellence. In the 2007-08 season he was responsible for the Under 16 side. [cite web
title=Introduction to Centre of Excellence
url=http://www.swanseacity.premiumtv.co.uk/page/CentreOfExcellence/0,,10354~712251,00.html
publisher=Swansea City Official Web-site
date=22 October, 2007
accessdate=2008-04-30]

References

External links

* [http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=players&drop=playerdetsdrop&play=rich04 Lincoln City F.C. official profile]