At the end of 2002 he joined non-League Stevenage Borough on loan, scoring six goals in thirteen games, including a hat-trick against Farnborough Town.

[15] Despite continued interest from Nigel Clough,[16] in January 2007 Richards joined Boston United, then in League Two, on a one-month loan.

[17] At the end of the 2006–07 season, unwanted at 'Boro by Darren Ferguson,[18] Richards dropped back out of the Football League, signing for Kidderminster Harriers on a free transfer.

"He settled in quickly at the club, building a partnership with his namesake Marc Richards in the 2010–11 pre-season,[26] which continued into the league campaign.

[27] He quickly endeared himself to "Valiants" fans, scoring a brace in their 3–1 win at Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup first round.

[28][29] This was followed by a thirteen-game barren spell, which was ended by three goals in four games, including a strike that took the club into the Third Round of the FA Cup.

[30] The Richards duo's partnership was ended in January when Marc suffered a thigh injury; upon his recovery Justin was dropped to make way for loan striker Tom Pope.

In July 2011, Richards signed a two-year contract with Vale's nearby League Two rivals Burton Albion after moving on a free transfer.

[33] Though the move came as a surprise to outside observers, Burton manager Paul Peschisolido said that "Justin is a player I admire and...I'm sure he'll bring us goals.

Under the stewardship of Gary Rowett, Richards slipped behind Calvin Zola, Matt Paterson, and Billy Kee in a largely single-striker system in 2012–13.

[36] He returned to Chris Wilder's Oxford United on loan for a second time in January 2013; he was signed to provide cover for the suspended James Constable.

[41] In June 2013, Richards signed a contract with Tamworth to play for them in the Conference Premier for the forthcoming season; manager Dale Belford stated that securing his services was a "massive coup" for the "Lambs".

Neil Tooth, manager of Northern Premier League Division One South side Sutton Coldfield Town, signed Richards in July 2014.

[43] He finished as the "Royals" top-scorer in the 2014–15 season with 23 goals, helping the club to win promotion after beating Leek Town in the play-off final.

He went on to join Hednesford Town but left the club less than a month after it was confirmed they would not be placed in the Southern League Premier Division Central the following season.

[53][54] In June 2011 he was studying to complete a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting at Staffordshire University, alongside former teammates Gareth Owen, Adam Yates, and Ritchie Sutton.