Micah Richards

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Although Richards was born in Birmingham, he grew up in Chapeltown, Leeds. Richards began playing football when he was young and played for the Leeds United youth system as a striker, but was released when he was around eight years old. He also represented Leeds Schools FA (Leeds City Boys) at a young age. Richards later moved to playing in either the centre-back or right-back positions. He later played for the Oldham Athletic youth system, moving to Manchester City as a 14-year-old, with Oldham reputedly having a 20 per cent sell-on clause. In July 2006, Manchester City reportedly tried to buy out the clause but Oldham refused. He also attended the Brazilian Soccer Schools scheme and retains strong links with the programme, with his father Lincoln running a Brazilian Soccer School in Chapeltown. Richards progressed through Manchester City's youth system. Despite initially struggling to get a YTS contract, he later signed his first professional contract with the club in 2005.

In Their Own Story

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Richards started well, keeping three clean sheets in the first three league matches. He played a vital role against Arsenal on 12 September 2009 when he scored and set up two goals in a 4–2 win. Throughout his City career, he faced competition from Hatem Trabelsi, Danny Mills, Nedum Onuoha, and Pablo Zabaleta for the right-back position. In July 2009, Richards was diagnosed with swine flu while on holiday in Cyprus and was kept in isolation after returning from Ayia Napa, but recovered to feature in the club's remaining pre-season matches. His time at City was marked by a remarkable consistency during the club's transition, though knee injuries eventually restricted his appearances before he joined Aston Villa in 2015.

Reader's Guide

In the summer of 2005, Richards was called up by Manchester City's first team for the Premier League Asia Trophy. He was later promoted to the first team in early October 2005. Richards made his first-team debut on 22 October 2005 against Arsenal, coming on as a substitute for Danny Mills in the 85th minute of a 1–0 defeat at Highbury. After the match, he said it was the most memorable day of his life. It was not until 1 February 2006 that he made another appearance, again as a late replacement in a 3–0 win over Newcastle United. Eleven days later, he made his first start, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–2 win over Charlton Athletic. His first goal came on 19 February, heading in a last-minute corner to earn a 1–1 draw away to Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup. City manager Stuart Pearce praised his performance after the match. Richards swore on live national television when interviewed after the game, later reflecting that 'I won the Premier League and played for England but it seems everyone always remembers me best for swearing live on BBC One on a Sunday afternoon'. Following this game, he then received a handful of first-team appearances for the remaining matches of the 2005–06 season. At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make sixteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions. In July 2006, Manchester City rejected a bid of £5 million for Richards from Tottenham Hotspur. On 25 July 2006, he signed a new four-year contract, quashing rumours of a move away from the City of Manchester Stadium. At the start of the 2006–07 season, Richards helped the side keep two clean sheets between 23 August 2006 and 26 August 2006. However, during a 1–0 loss against Reading on 11 September 2006, he was criticised by Pearce after reacting furiously when he was substituted in the 60th minute and threw his shirt to the ground and waved his arms in disgust. Despite this, Richards continued to remain in the first team for the side and was praised once again by Pearce for his professionalism. At one point during the 2006–07 season, he played in a central midfield position, due to limit availablity. Richards then scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Everton on 30 September 2006. He appeared in every match until he was dropped in December, due to a leg injury following a 2–1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 December 2006.

Did You Know?

• Richards made his full international debut in November 2006.
• He was the youngest defender to debut for England at the time.
• Richards captained Manchester City for the first time on 16 September 2007, becoming the club's youngest ever first-team captain.
• He swore on live national television after scoring his first goal for Manchester City in the FA Cup.