Richards was born in Bridgend, Glamorgan, in 1861, the son of Richard Richards, a landowner, and Catherine Thomas. He was educated at Charterhouse School, and as a footballer progressed from playing for the "twenty-two" against the "eleven" in 1877[1] to playing for the first XI in 1878.[2] He went up to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1880.[3]
The Old Carthusians first entered the FA Cupin1879–80 FA Cup, and Richards made his debut in the first round in the 1880–81 competition, as a left-sided forward against Saffron Walden; he scored the final goal in a 7–0 victory.[4] He played in most of the ties that season, although he missed the win over the Royal Engineers after a last-minute issue,[5] and in the final against the Old Etonians played as a right-sided forward.[6] He played a key part in the third goal, as his shot deflected off team-mate Alexander Tod to close out the scoring.[7]
Richards starred in a 7–1 win over Barnes in the following season's first round, scoring once, hitting the woodwork, and creating the scrimmage that led to the first goal. However he missed the tie against the Royal Engineers in the third round, with the O.C.s fielding a considerably under-strength side, and the Sappers won 2–0.[8]
He received his Cambridge blue in football in 1882, albeit he was on the losing side, as Oxford won 3–0.[9]
By 1884–85, he was winding down his competitive career; although he played for the Carthusians in several ties that season, he was also the O.C.s' nominated umpire for the win over Grimsby Town,[10] and the semi-final loss against Blackburn RoversinNottingham was his final competitive match.[11] By 1886 he was living and working in Wales, and represented South Wales in a cricket match against the M.C.C.atSwansea in August 1886, taking 6 wickets.[12]
After graduating, he was called to the Bar in 1884, and was a special pleader on the South Wales circuit.[13][14] He married Gertrude Elizabeth Grantham on 28 November 1899 at St Michael's Church in Westminster, and the couple had three daughters and two sons.[15]
Richards died in 1918, and his estate was recorded as being worth over £56,500.[16]
^"Old Carthusians v Royal Engineers". Bell's Life: 9. 24 December 1881.
^Bruce-Kerr, J; Abrahams, H.M. (1931). Oxford versus Cambridge. London: Faber and Faber. p. 308.
^"Old Carthusians v Grimsby Town". Sheffield Daily Telegraph: 4. 26 January 1885.
^"The Association Challenge Cup - Semi-final Tie". Sporting Life: 4. 9 March 1885.
^"Athletic notes". Central Glamorgan Gazette: 3. 13 August 1886.
^Cheltenham Middle. Cheltenham: England Census. 1891. p. 98.
^Venn, John (1953). Alumni Cantabrigienses Part II Volume V. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 288.
^Westminster, London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns. London: HMSO. 28 November 1899. p. 180.
^Incorrectly gives middle name as Mather.England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. HMSO. 1919. p. 64.
