Garry Richards

Garry Richards (born 11 June 1986) is an English retired professional footballer who made over 100 appearances as a central defender in the Football League for Gillingham. He also played for Colchester United, Southend United and Brentford.

Career

Colchester United A product of the youth system at Colchester United, Richards won his maiden call into the first team squad for a League One match versus Hartlepool United on 30 August 2004. He remained an unused substitute during the 2–1 defeat and had to wait until 3 September 2005 to make his debut, Despite scoring his first goal for the club with the only goal of the game versus Preston North End on 30 January 2007, Richards was largely out of favour during the 2006–07 season and spent two months away on loan. Richards departed Layer Road in August 2007, after making 24 appearances and scoring one goal for the club. which was later extended until the end of the 2006–07 season. He made 10 appearances and scored one goal, which came with the opener in a 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic on 25 March,

Southend United Richards joined League One club Southend United on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 4 August 2007. After making just 14 appearances during the first half of the 2007–08 season,

Gillingham On 25 January 2008, Richards joined League One strugglers Gillingham on a -year contract for an undisclosed fee. Richards signed a new two-year contract in July 2010, but his Gillingham career was ultimately ended by a fractured fibula suffered during a 3–1 victory over Barnet on 6 March 2012. Richards was released in May 2012 and made 122 appearances and scored six goals during seasons at Priestfield.

Luton Town On 25 June 2012, Richards dropped into non-League football to join Conference Premier club Luton Town on a two-year contract. Richards' time at Kenilworth Road was beset by injury and despite multiple operations and extensive periods of rehabilitation on an injured ankle, he failed to win a call into a squad before his contract was mutually terminated on 14 October 2013. Richards' departure signalled his retirement from football.

Honours Colchester United Football League One second-place promotion: 2005–06 Gillingham Football League Two play-offs: 2009

Career statistics