Tom Oliver Richards (born 16 October 1994) is an English semi-professional footballer who is currently a free agent.
Richards spent his youth career at Fulham and made his senior debut on loan at AFC Wimbledon in 2014. He also spent time on loan at Aldershot Town before a permanent move in 2015. Richards spent five months in Austria with fourth division side FC Kitzbühel before joining Walton Casuals in 2017. He joined Welling United in February 2017.
Club career Fulham Richards joined Fulham after a successful six-week trial in 2011, having been spotted playing Sunday league football. Adapting from a midfield role to full-back in his first season with the club, he lifted the Under-18s national title in 2012 before retaining the title alongside the Dallas Cup in 2013.
On 10 July 2013, Richards signed a one-year deal with an option to extend for a further season. He joined the Under-21 squad ahead of the 2013–14 season, and after sixteen appearances for the youth side was rewarded with a loan spell in the Football League.
On 28 February 2014, Richards joined AFC Wimbledon on loan for the remainder of the season. He made his professional debut in a 0–0 draw at Fleetwood Town on 1 March. Richards made ten appearances for the League Two club before his return to Craven Cottage in May.
On 21 February 2015, he joined Conference Premier club Aldershot Town on loan for the remainder of the season. Richards made his debut in a 3–1 victory over Dover Athletic on 3 March. He made nine appearances for the club during his loan spell.
Aldershot Town On 6 June 2015, Richards joined Aldershot Town on a permanent basis following his impressive loan spell. Signing a one-year deal at the club, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 victory against Guiseley.
With 27 appearances to his name during the 2015–16 campaign, Richards was released after the expiry of his contract and the arrival of new manager Gary Waddock.
FC Kitzbühel In July 2016, Richards joined FC Kitzbühel, an Austrian fourth-tier club. He scored two goals in 17 appearances prior to the winter break. In December 2016, he agreed to a contract termination allowing him to return to England.
Later career On 26 January 2017, Richards joined Isthmian Division One South side Walton Casuals. On 28 January, he made his debut in a 3–2 victory against Sittingbourne. He went on to make four appearances for the club before his departure. Richards played his final game in a 3–7 defeat to East Grinstead Town on 11 February.
On 17 February, Richards signed for National League South club Welling United. He made his debut the following day in a 2–2 draw at Weston Super Mare. On 30 July 2017, Richards joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Leatherhead after not being able to agree a deal with Welling. He transferred to Dorking Wanderers in summer 2018 and later Kingstonian in July 2020. He signed for Horsham in summer 2021.
Personal life Richards is a Chelsea supporter, but would often watch Fulham as a child due to his father and youth coach. As a child, Richards was nicknamed 'Duffer' due to a similarity in appearance to Damien Duff.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFulham2013–14Premier League000000002014–15Championship00000000Total00000000AFC Wimbledon (loan)2013–14League Two1000000100Aldershot Town (loan)2014–15Conference Premier90000090Aldershot Town2015–16National League2512000271FC Kitzbühel2016–17Tiroler Liga1410031172Walton Casuals2016–17Isthmian League Division One South40000040Welling United2016–17National League South60001070Leatherhead2017–18Isthmian League Premier Division4657010545Dorking Wanderers2018–19Isthmian League Premier Division359413042102019–20National League South2951073378Total6414511037918Kingstonian2020–21Isthmian League Premier Division902010120Horsham2021–22Isthmian League Premier Division38270705222022–23Isthmian League Premier Division33510403852023–24Isthmian League Premier Division3215150422Total10381311601329Raynes Park Vale2024–25Isthmian League South Central Division2510020271Career total3153029234437836
Honours Dorking Wanderers Isthmian League Premier Division: 2018–19
Horsham Alan Turvey Trophy: 2021–22
References
External links
Walton Casuals FC profile