Lewis Paul Jimmy Richards (born 15 October 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Crawley Town. Born in England, he represented Ireland at youth level.
Career Early career Born in Liverpool, Richards began his career in the Brentford Academy, before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers after the closure of the academy in 2016.
On 13 January 2022, Richards joined League Two club Harrogate Town on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season, playing his first game for the club on 22 January in a 3–0 home win against Oldham Athletic, where he was substituted in the 82nd minute for Nathan Sheron.
He returned to Harrogate in July 2022 for a second loan spell. This was cut short in January 2023 when Richards sustained an ankle injury which ruled him out for four months and he returned to his parent club.
Bradford City On 18 August 2023, Richards signed for Bradford City, joining on an initial two-year contract. His debut came on 19 August 2023 in a 3–0 away defeat at Morecambe; after the match, he said the players had let the fans down. Richards suffered an injury during a match on 26 December 2023, and was ruled out for a few weeks. After returning to first-team action, he was injured again in February 2024.
In September 2024, in his first league start of the 2024–25 season, Richards suffered an injury. He suffered a further injury, to his shoulder, in November 2024. His shoulder injury returned in February 2025, but Richards delayed surgery in order to remain available for the club in their late season promotion push. Later that month he was reported to be close to a return.
At the end of the 2024–25 season, Bradford City entered into discussions with him regarding a new contract.https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2025/may/13/retained-list--2024-25/ Ahead of the 2025–26 season, Richgards missed pre-season due to injury. In July 2025 he signed a new one-year contract with the club. Later that month he returned to training, although by the end of August he had not returned to first-team play. In September he played in a behind-closed-doors 'bounce' match to assist his return to fitness. He made his first appearance of the 2025–26 season in October 2025 in the EFL Trophy.
Crawley Town On 16 January 2026, Richards moved to League Two club Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee, signing an 18-month contract.
Style of play As of November 2024, Richards was primarily playing for Bradford City as a left wing back, having also played in the centre of defence. Bradford City manager Graham Alexander said Richards needed confidence in his new role as a wing back.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWolverhampton Wanderers2019–20Premier League00000040402020–21Premier League00000030302021–22Premier League00000020202022–23Premier League0000000000Total0000009090Harrogate Town (loan)2021–22League Two8000000080Harrogate Town (loan)2022–23League Two90001030130Bradford City2023–24League Two2600000413012024–25League Two2221010402822025–26League One0010003040Total4822010111623Crawley Town2025–26League Two1300000001302026–27League Two2000002040Total150000020170Career total80220202511093
References