Richards George Image 2 Derby County 1909

Description

Bulwell, Nottinghamshire born left half George Richards played for Castle Donington in 1899 and Whitwick White Cross in 1900 before joining First Division Derby County, for whom he made his Football League debut against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1902, originally as an inside left. From October 1902 he was a regular in the first team, scoring 10 or more goals a season over the next two seasons in the forward line, and playing 5 cup ties in Derby’s run to the 1903 FA Cup Final, which they lost heavily to Bury at The Crystal Palace.

In 1904 he moved to the half back line, and despite Derby’s relegation in 1907 his consistency was rewarded when he was included in the England squad that toured Austria and Hungary in May 1909, playing in an 8-1 win over Austria in Vienna on 1st June 1909, his only international cap. He was also a non playing reserve against Wales in Cardiff in March 1910 and against Ireland in Dublin in February 1912, and went on the FA Tour to South Africa in June and July 1910, playing in two “Test Matches” against South Africa.

He played for Derby County in their FA Cup semi final team that lost narrowly in a replay to Bristol City, playing in both games at Stamford Bridge and St Andrew’s. He was part of the team that won the Second Division Championship in 1911-12 and played his last match for The Rams in February 1914, having scored 37 goals in 309 appearances. During the 1920’s Richards coached his local football team, Castle Donington Imperial.