Following the sacking of Lincoln's manager John Pickering, Richards found himself out of favour and moved on loan to Cambridge United, playing all 8 remaining league fixtures of that season.
In July 1986 he moved to Torquay United where, in his first season, playing against his hometown club, having scored after sixteen seconds, he sustained a serious knee injury which would cause the end of his professional league career.
Richards turned down the offer of the role on a full-time basis from then manager Cyril Knowles, preferring instead to move into the non-league ranks and continue playing for firstly, Newport County in the Conference League in their ill-fated 1988–89 season, before going on to enjoy short spells with Saltash, Forest Green Rovers, Barry Town, Llanelli, and Haverfordwest County where a repeat of a ruptured cruciate ligament would bring a close to his playing days.
[10] In December 2017 Richards was appointed first team coach under Leon Britton in the Premier League on an interim basis following the departure of Paul Clement as manager, taking charge of games against Crystal Palace at home and Liverpool away.
[11] In December 2019 Richards departed Swansea City to move to Cypriot first division side Pafos FC, as assistant to Cameron Toshack.
[13] In October 2020 Richards left Pafos having contributed to the clubs longest unbeaten run in their history, as well as achieving their highest win percentage.
He's gained a level 5 diploma in management & leadership and has been a candidate on the Premier League's elite coach apprenticeship scheme (ECAS).