He is considered to be one of the "Fathers of Italian football",[2] due to his association with Genoa CFC and his contribution to the modern day variation of the game in Italy.

Amongst the most keen interests which he had acquired whilst travelling were eastern religions, languages (he was versed in Greek and Sanskrit), boxing and football.

[5] Richardson Spensley arrived in Genoa in 1896, initially for the purpose of curing English sailors on the coal ships.

[7] Richardson Spensley acted as player-manager for Genoa in the first ever Italian Football Championship (which he initiated) during 1898 which his club won.

Along with a Genovese man named Mario Mazza, they founded the first Italian scouting movement called Federazione Italiana dello Scautismo in 1910.