Twice becoming the club's top scorer, a series of injuries brought his career to a close, and he moved into Non-League football in May 1966 with Nuneaton Borough and Dudley Town.
Richards was in the Army from 1952 to his demobbing in 1954, playing football (as captain) for the Battery and Regimental team whilst serving in Egypt.
[2] Richards started his career with Birmingham City but did not make a league appearance for the club before joining Walsall in 1954.
Walsall finished 23rd in the 24 team Third Division South in 1954–55 under the stewardship of Frank Buckley, and were forced to apply for re-election.
His 26 goals in 1959–60 helped to fire Walsall to the top of the table, a clear five points ahead of second place Notts County.
[5] However, he began to be plagued by injuries at Vale, missing the start of the 1964–65 relegation season after suffering the effects of an insect bite.