David Matthew Richards (born 31 December 1993) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for League Two club Crewe Alexandra.

Dave Richards

Richards (February 2022)
Personal information
Full name	David Matthew Richards[1]
Date of birth	(1993-12-31) 31 December 1993 (age 28)
Place of birth	Abergavenny, Wales
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	Crewe Alexandra
Number	1
Youth career
2010–2012	Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2014	Cardiff City	0	(0)
2012	→ Llanelli (loan)	5	(0)
2013	→ Chippenham Town (loan)	2	(0)
2013–2014	→ Bristol City (loan)	0	(0)
2014–2015	Bristol City	0	(0)
2015–	Crewe Alexandra	64	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:30, 31 August 2022 (UTC)

Early life

Richards was born in Abergavenny in Wales. Richards is a self professed Leeds United fan as he grew up following the club due to the fact that he has family in the Leeds area.

Club career

Cardiff City

Richards started his career with Cardiff City spending time out on loan to Llanelli in 2012[2] and with Chippenham Town in 2013.[3] In October 2013, Richards joined Bristol City on a loan deal which was made permanent in January 2014.[4]

Bristol City

Richards spent the majority of his career at City on the bench. During this time Bristol City won League One and Richards received a winners medal as an unused substitute as City beat Walsall to win the Football League Trophy.[5]

Crewe Alexandra

In July 2015, after his release from Bristol City, Richards signed for Crewe Alexandra.[5] Richard spent two years acting as understudy for Ben Garratt before making his senior debut in English football in September 2017 as Crewe lost 1–0 at Coventry City.[6]

In April 2017, Richards signed an extended Crewe Alexandra contract until at least 2019, with a year option.[7] That year option was automatically exercised by Crewe at the end of the 2018–19 season.[8] On 13 August 2019, Richards saved a vital penalty at Middlesbrough as Crewe beat the Championship side 4–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw, earning the Cheshire side an EFL Cup second round home tie against Premier League side Aston Villa.[9] He also saved a penalty in his first league start of the season, at Grimsby Town on 7 September 2019, helping Crewe to a 2–0 win.[10]

Richards was offered a new contract in June 2020,[11] and agreed a two-year deal.[12] He signed a new deal in May 2022,[13] but missed Crewe's opening games of the following season due to a finger injury and resulting operation,[14] being replaced by Arsenal loanee keeper Arthur Okonkwo as Crewe won their first two games.[15][16]

Career statistics

As of match played 30 September 2022

Honours

Bristol City

• Football League Trophy (1): 2015

References

External links

• Dave Richards profile on the Crewe Alexandra F.C. website