McCall tribute as ex-defender Richards dies

FORMER Bradford manager Stuart McCall yesterday described the death of Dean Richards as an “absolute tragedy”.

It was announced on Saturday that the former Tottenham, Wolves and Bradford defender had died after a long-term illness at the age of 36.

After watching his Motherwell side beat Celtic 2-0 at home in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League yesterday, McCall revealed his sadness at hearing about the death of Bradford-born Richards.

“It is an absolute tragedy,” McCall said. “He was a first-class professional as a player but a fantastic guy off the park as well and I was really sad to hear the news. He will be a great miss.”

Richards started his career at Bradford before moving to Wolves in 1995, making 145 appearances in a four-year spell. He subsequently moved on to Southampton before switching to White Hart Lane.

Richards, who played four times at U21 level, spent four years in north London, much of it dogged by injury.

He made almost 350 appearances in a career spanning 13 years before being forced to retire from the game at the age of 30 in 2005 when he was suffering from dizzy spells and headaches, an illness which was initially diagnosed as an inner ear infection.

He returned to the game in August 2007 as a youth team coach at Bradford and worked alongside McCall.

Wolves announced yesterday they were planning a tribute to Richards ahead of next Sunday’s game with Spurs at Molineux.