A product of the Shrewsbury Town youth system, he made just one senior appearance, before embarking on a career in non-league football in the West Midlands area.
Richards began his career in the Shrewsbury Town youth team, and despite ultimately never signing professional terms with the club made one competitive appearance in a Football League Trophy fixture against Accrington Stanley on 20 October 2009 as a substitute.
[1] Having also been a regular for Shrewsbury's reserve team, on his release he was offered a trial and later signed up at non-league neighbours AFC Telford in June 2010,[2] however he was sent out on loan to Market Drayton Town in September 2010 with then Telford manager Andy Sinton citing his sides good start to the season limiting Richards first team opportunities at the club.
[5] After the expiry of his contract at Telford, Richards later went on to sign for Solihull Moors in August 2011,[6] before spending further loan spells at Redditch and Evesham United.
[7] Whilst at Stourbridge, he notably scored in an FA Cup first-round tie against fellow Southern League Premier Division side Biggleswade Town in a 4−1 victory.