R.I.P Dean Richards, aged 36
Football fans around the country were stunned yesterday (Saturday 26th February, 2011) to hear of the passing of former Bradford, Wolves, Southampton and Spurs player Dean Richards at the far too young age of just 36 years.
Next Sunday's match at Molineux will be all the more poignant, as both sets of fans will pay a handsome tribute to Dean. Dean was born in Bradford and started and finished his football career with his home town club. After he had to prematurely retire from playing due to repeated incidents of dizziness and perssistent headaches, Dean did return to Bradford and work as a coach in 2007.
Dean Richards has become the sixth, but by far the youngest former Spurs player to pass away during the course of this season. The others were:-
Bobby Smith (1933-2010)
Eddie Baily (1925-2010)
Mel Hopkins (1934-2010)
Ralph Coates (1946-2010)
Jeffrey Ireland (1935-2010)
My good friend Declan Mulcahy has offered the following words, which specifically relate to Dean Richards' four goals in his Spurs playing career:-
Dean Richards played 81 competitive games for Tottenham scoring 4 goals.
He made his debut against Manchester United at White Hart Lane in September 2001 and scored within 16 minutes with a header from a corner. Spurs led 3-0 at half time but still managed to lose 5-3.
Richards' next goal was on New Year's Day 2002 against Blackburn Rovers at White Hart Lane. It was the only goal of the game, again from a header, and the only time that Spurs won when Richards scored.
Dean's third goal came in an away match to Fulham, played at Loftus Road, and was somewhat reminiscent of his goal against Manchester United. It was the first goal as Spurs built up a 2-0 lead at half time only to lose the game 3-2.
Dean Richards' fourth goal was away to Liverpool in October 2002, and was possibly his finest moment in a Spurs' shirt. Unfortunately Spurs lost again.
Dean was of course a centre-half, and played for Glenn Hoddle at Southampton, before Glenn signed him when coming to Spurs in 2001. I have read in the latest "Lust Doctor's Blogspot" of a special defensive performance by Dean Richards in a 1-0 win at Villa Park. My report on this game can be read here:- http://www.spursodyssey.com/0203/av180103.html
Dean's symptoms which led to the curtailment of his playing career must have been related to his illness. If you would like to read more about Dean's performances in a Spurs shirt, then just take advantage of the Google search box below, but be sure to choose the Spurs Odyssey web site option
P.S - Dean captained Spurs on 23rd December, 2002, when we played at Maine road for the last time. We also won 3-2. Man City 2 Spurs 3 - report here
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