Started his career as an amateur playing for Durham Tigers RLFC in the North-East of England, outside of the sport's traditional heartland.
He began his senior professional career as loose forward at Keighley Cougars,[2] Pat subsequently moved to Oldham where his biggest impact came during the 2001 season and, in particular, his contribution with the boot which helped his side to the Northern Ford Premiership semi-final win 39–32 over Rochdale Hornets when he kicked nine out of nine goal attempts.
[3] In the Grand Final he was unable to secure the points needed with Neil Kelly's Widnes Vikings running out victors 24–12.
Although he returned for brief spells with Sheffield Eagles, London Skolars, and finally Oldham for some 14 games in 2004,[7][8] he no longer plays competitive football.
Rich's seven-year-long record for points scored for Roughyeds in a single season (320) was eventually beaten by Mick Nanyn (362) in 2008.