[6] The 1901 Census finds the couple and two sons living in Grove Lane, Handsworth; Richards was working as a commission agent selling jewellery, pianos and furniture.
[8] The 1911 Census records him as assistant secretary, living in Fourth Avenue, Small Heath; his 15-year-old son Sam was also on the office staff.
[9] Richards was appointed club secretary later that year, and took over responsibility for team affairs in 1915 when the Football League was suspended because of the First World War.
[8] He oversaw the signing of a number of players who went on to give excellent service to Birmingham, including record goalscorer Joe Bradford, playmaker Johnny Crosbie, future manager George Liddell and England international goalkeeper Dan Tremelling; those four between them made over 1,500 Football League appearances for the club.
He hired former Birmingham and England centre-forward Harry Hampton as coach,[13] and was responsible for bringing Alex James to the club.