| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Lee Richards[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 26 December 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Harlow, England | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Left-Back, Left Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Shrewsbury Town | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2002 | Ipswich Town | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2009 | Ipswich Town | 138 | (8) |
| 2007 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2008 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 23 | (1) |
| 2009–2011 | Walsall | 86 | (12) |
| 2011– | Shrewsbury Town | 20 | (2) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2004–2005 | England U16 | 5 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | England U17 | 5 | (0) |
| 2006 | England U18 | 1 | (0) |
| 2004 | England U21 | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:15, 3 January 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Matthew Lee "Matt" Richards (born 26 December 1984 in Harlow, Essex) is an English footballer who currently plays for Shrewsbury Town in the English League Two.
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Matt is a graduate of the Ipswich Town academy, and made his debut in the UEFA Cup against Avenir Beggen aged just 17. He received his only England under-21 cap for appearing in the England U21 victory over Ukraine U21 in August 2004. He played a prominent role in Joe Royle's Play-Off semi-finalist making teams in 2003/04 and 2004/05. When Club Captain Jim Magilton was made manager in 2006–07 Richards found himself out of favour.Originally regarded as a left-back, he is now much more comfortable as a midfielder, either playing on the left or in the centre.
On 18 September 2007, Richards joined League One side Brighton & Hove Albion on a provisional one-month loan deal, although the Seagulls had allegedly been tracking the player all through the summer of 2007.
Richards' loan deal at Brighton was extended by a further two months, running up until 18 December 2007[2] .[3] He played 14 League games in total during his three-month loan at the Withdean and ex-Brighton manager Dean Wilkins expressed his interest on loaning the player until the end of the 2007/08 season. On 17 January 2008, it was revealed that Richards had agreed to join Brighton on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.[4]
Richards once again rejoined Brighton on loan until the end of December 2008 on 21 July 2008.[5]
Richards made his Ipswich return in 2009 under new manager Roy Keane starting against Cardiff in a 3–0 win at Ninian Park.[6] This would turn out to be his last game for the club as he was released on 14 May 2009.[7]
Richards had a trial spell with Burton Albion [8] scoring in a friendly against Ilkeston Town, however following a successful trial at League One side Walsall, Richards penned a two-year contract with the Saddlers.[9] Richards left the Saddlers after failing to meet the deadline on signing a new deal. He contacted the club 2 days too late and the offer had been withdrawn by manager Dean Smith. Richards stated his desire to sign on at Walsall on Twitter, however, this was not possible.
Richards impressed during a trial period with Shrewsbury Town and underwent a medical at the Greenhous Meadow on the 27th July 2011, with the deal expected to be completed in the following days. He signed a two-year deal with the Shropshire outfit on 28 July 2011, and scored his first goal in Shrewsbury colours on 8th October in a 3-2 home win over Barnet.[10]
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