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Micah Richards
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Micah Richards | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Micah Lincoln Richards | |
| Date of birth | June 24, 1988 (age 18) | |
| Place of birth | Birmingham, England | |
| Height | 180 cm (5'11") | |
| Playing position | Defender | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Manchester City | |
| Number | 2 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| 2000-2001 2001-2005 |
Oldham Athletic Manchester City |
|
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2005- | Manchester City | 41 (1) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2005-2006 2006- |
England U21 England |
3 (0) 4 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Micah Lincoln Richards (born June 24, 1988 in Birmingham) is a football player with Manchester City and England.
Richards, a right full back, made his professional debut when he was 17 as a substitute against Arsenal in October 2005.
Contents |
Richards was born in Birmingham as his parents were visiting relatives in the area at the time, but grew up in notorious Chapeltown district Leeds. He attended Archbishop Cranmer CofE Primary School and his potential was immediately spotted by the school’s football coach David Moore, who drafted him into the school team at the age of seven.
A few years later he played for Leeds City Boys. He went to Wetherby High, near Leeds, and was signed on schoolboy terms by Oldham Athletic at the age of 12. He made the short move to Manchester City in 2001, with Oldham Athletic reputedly having a significant sell on clause. In July 2006 Manchester City reportedly tried to buy out the clause, but Oldham Athletic refused.[1] He also attended the Brazilian Soccer Schools scheme.
Richards can play in defence or in central midfield, but has become known as a right back who is useful for a goal threat at set-pieces.
He made his first team debut on October 22, 2005 against Arsenal, coming on as a substitute and was given his full debut on 12 February 2006 against Charlton Athletic. Since making his first start he has played in the majority of Manchester City's matches, and was named as the club's Young Player of the Year for the 2005-06 season.
Richards came to national prominence when his 94th minute headed goal in a televised FA Cup fixture against Aston Villa gained City a replay. Following the game an emotional Richards was interviewed by Garth Crooks live on BBC One. During the interview he was asked about his goal and used the phrase "fucking hell"[2], and then continued with the interview. At the end of the interview, host Gary Lineker apologised to the televised audience and put it down to "the inexperience of the young lad".
During the 2005-06 season Richards captained the Manchester City youth team which reached the final of the FA Youth Cup. Richards missed the first leg of the final as he was on first team duty, but returned for the second leg. He helped his side to a 2-0 win over Liverpool, but Liverpool youth won the trophy 3-2 on aggregate.
In July 2006 Manchester City rejected a bid of £5m for Richards from Tottenham Hotspur[3]. On 25 July 2006 he signed a new four-year contract, quashing rumours of a move away from the City of Manchester Stadium[4]. He was rewarded with the number 2 shirt for the 2006-07 season, a traditional first team number, rather than the number 45 he wore in 2005-06.
Richards lost his temper with his manager Stuart Pearce in front of Sky TV cameras after he was substituted during the Blues' 1-0 defeat at the Madejski Stadium against Reading on 11 September 2006. The teenage defender had to be calmed down by Paul Dickov after hurling his shirt out of the dug-out and following it up with a volley of abuse.
Richards' second City goal was also an injury time equaliser - this time in a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park on 30 September 2006.
Of late there have been rumours regarding Richards' future with a host of English clubs keen to sign him. one of these teams is the rival team of the same city, Manchester United have shown interest in the 18 year old defender.
In November 2006, Richards received a call-up to the England squad for a friendly against the Netherlands after playing only 28 professional club matches. He had previously won 3 caps for the England under 21 team, and was chosen to start the game on November 15, 2006 against the Netherlands after regular right back Gary Neville withdrew through injury. It made him England's youngest-ever defender, breaking the record previously held by Rio Ferdinand. He also came on in the 72nd minute of England's game with Israel.
- ^ "City keen to keep hold of Micah", Manchester Evening News, 2006-07-18. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
- ^ "The F!@* Cup", Daily Mirror, 2006-02-20. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
- ^ "Hammers in Richards race?", Clubcall.com, 2006-07-23. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.
- ^ "Exclusive- Micah signs new deal", Mcfc.co.uk, Manchester City Official Site, 2006-07-25. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
- Manchester City F.C. official match programme, 2 April 2006
- Micah Richards at Brazilian Soccer Schools
- [1] at SEM
- Micah Richards career stats at Soccerbase
| Manchester City F.C. - Current Squad |
|---|
|
1 Isaksson | 2 Richards | 3 Ball | 4 Jordan | 5 Dabo | 7 Ireland | 8 Barton | 9 Mpenza | 10 Abdoun | 11 Vassell | 12 Weaver | 14 Dickov | 15 Distin | 16 Onuoha | 17 Sun | 18 Mills | 20 Samaras | 21 Hamann | 22 Dunne | 24 Beasley | 27 Trabelsi | 28 Sinclair | 30 Corradi | 33 Johnson | 36 Sturridge | 39 Laird | 43 Miller | Manager: Pearce |