Football world pays tribute after former Bantams defender Richards loses his long battle with illness

The former Bantams defender, who was forced to retire from the game in 2005 after suffering from dizzy spells and headaches, finally lost his long-term battle with illness on Saturday morning, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

Richards, a former pupil at Rhodesway School, started his professional career with Bradford after coming through the ranks at Valley Parade.

After making 86 league appearances for City between 1992 and 1995, he went on to enjoy spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, before doctors warned that playing on could have serious ramifications for his health.

Former Doncaster Rovers midfielder Mark Rankine played alongside Richards during their days at Wolves and the duo had remained close friends after settling in Yorkshire after retirement.

“He was a wonderful guy, he was kind-hearted and he was a quality footballer. He was talented in everything that he did.” said Rankine. “Deano was so laid back in life, but when it came to his football he was really determined.

“He was a great player, technically he was the sort of defender who, like Rio Ferdinand, could bring the ball out of defence. When he arrived at Wolves, I felt he was good enough with both feet to have been able to play in midfield.

“It was unfortunate that his career had to end when it did because he was doing very well at Spurs.

“He was a top man and he will be terribly missed by all who knew him.”

Current Wolves manager Mick McCarthy also paid tribute to Richards, who is fondly remembered at Molineux. The Wolves fans chanted his name on Saturday as their side paid a fitting tribute to him with a 4-0 win over Blackpool.

McCarthy said: “I can’t tell you how sad I feel for him and his family – 36 years of age. It is just devastating for them.

“He is well remembered here because he scored a goal against the Albion, so he will always be fondly remembered.

“Anybody who dies at that age – and I believe he has two kids and a wife – it’s devastating, so my sincere condolences to his family and close circle of friends who will be feeling it today.”

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones signed Richards when in charge of Southampton and said the death was a tragic loss.

“It puts things into perspective,” he said.

“I have nothing but admiration for Dean as a man and a player.”

Richards joined Saints in 1999 only after a chance meeting with Jones at Manchester Airport when the defender was about to sign for Middlesbrough.

Jones added: “I was flying down to Southampton from my home in the North West and I bumped into him at the airport.

“He was on his way to Middlesbrough to sign for them but I basically hijacked him.

“I kept on at him to come down to Southampton and have a look at the place. We got him for nothing (under the Bosman Ruling) and sold him for £12m.

“It was a good piece of hijacking.

“Dean was a very, very good centre-half, who could also play. He didn’t just hump the ball down the field. He was a top quality player but, more importantly than that, he was a top person as well.”

Richards, who played four times at England Under-21 level, spent four years in north London with Spurs, although his time there was dogged by injury.

By the time he was forced to hang up his boots, he had made almost 350 appearances in a career spanning 13 years.

A statement from Spurs read: “Everyone was saddened to hear of the death of Dean Richards.

“There will be a tribute paid ahead of our fixture next Sunday at Molineux against Wolves.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family at this sad time.”

After retiring from Spurs, Richards eventually returned to Valley Parade in 2007 to work in the club’s youth set-up.

The announcement of his death came too late for City officials to organise a tribute ahead of Saturday’s game against Stockport, but a statement on the club website over the weekend read: “The football club are truly devastated to hear of the death of former Bradford City fans’ favourite Dean Richards.

“Everyone at the club would like to offer their deepest condolences to his friends and family during this testing time.”