Born on this day is former versatile Sunderland player Kieran Richardson. Richardson signed for the lads under Roy Keane, using the Irishman’s links to Manchester United.
Richardson made his debut for Man United in the Champions League, coming on as a substitute in a 3-2 win against Olympiakos. He was just 18 years old!
After a successful loan spell at West Brom, under former Man United captain Bryan Robson, Richardson was in and around United’s first team. He made an impact as he appeared at left back, replacing the injured Gabriel Heinze. After Heinze returned, Richardson was moved back into his natural position of central midfield.
However, chances became more limited for Richardson at Old Trafford and in 2007 Roy Keane came in for the midfielder. Keane had been Richardson’s captain at United, so clearly saw potential in him.
Soon after signing, it was discovered that Richardson had a stress fracture of his spine. It kept him out of action for four months but when he returned, he scored his first goal for the club against Bolton Wanderers. He then made headlines for scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Portsmouth a few weeks later. It could easily have been a hat trick, with Rico striking the crossbar with a rasping drive.
In October 2008, Richardson scored a fantastic goal that put him in the Sunderland history books. The lads were playing Newcastle, and the game was level at 1-1. Cult hero Djibril Cisse had put us ahead, before Shola Ameobi equalised.
Nicky Butt brought down El-Hadji Diouf on the edge of the box, and Richardson stepped up to take the free kick. With the ball arguably too close to goal to get it over the wall, Richardson opted to smash it to Shay Given’s right, with the keeper standing no chance.
In following seasons, Richardson played predominantly in central midfield, filling in at left back when needed. He eventually became first-choice in the fullback position under Steve Bruce, claiming that Brazilian right back Maicon had inspired him to make the decision.
Rico became Sunderland’s utility man, filling in almost anywhere on the pitch. In 2012, Fulham came in for him with a rumoured £2 million bid. He was never played regularly enough, and had short spells at Aston Villa and Cardiff. He then had a trial at Spanish side Granada before announcing his retirement.
