[3] He remained an unused substitute during the 2–1 defeat and had to wait until 3 September 2005 to make his debut,[3] which came with a start in a 0–0 draw with Bristol City.

[7] On 9 February 2007, Richards joined League One strugglers Brentford on a one-month loan,[9] which was later extended until the end of the 2006–07 season.

[10][11] He made 10 appearances and scored one goal, which came with the opener in a 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic on 25 March,[6] before his spell came to an end due to a pelvic injury suffered during a match versus Cheltenham Town on 7 April.

[7][19] On 25 June 2012, Richards dropped into non-League football to join Conference Premier club Luton Town on a two-year contract.

[20] 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.