Hereford FC have a surprise new goalkeeper, one with a most interesting pedigree. He’s 26 years of age and in his prime, so if he hasn’t left already, you would imagine Aaron Chapman is “considering his options”.
As a young keeper, Lincoln-born Theo Huw Richardson moved around a lot of Academies which is rarely a route to success. He started with Nottingham Forest, then over to Villa. Next stop was Leeds United on a two-year deal. When that expired, allegedly Jose Mourinho personally recruited him for Manchester United, a news story that the Sun covered. Theo must have thought he was “on the way”. He was quickly promoted out of the U18’s to become first choice for the Red Devils U23’s At such a rarified level though, the barrier is almost stupidly high and few make it. Richardson was out of Old Trafford barely a year after joining.
After two unsuccessful trials with EFL clubs, the keeper found a bolthole in Grantham, close to his home base. Bigger clubs continued to sniff and there were trials at both Wolves and Hereford fc. Cleethorpes offered him a 2-year contract in December so he moved sticks. After 70 games, Kings Lynn asked for him on loan in March 2021 in Step One. Such was his impact Lynn wanted to keep him. Generously, Cleethorpes cancelled his contract.
There were 18 appearances for Lynn but no summer contract so it was ice station Buxton next. Two years here including a Step 3 Championship, and securing a Player of the Year award. Not to mention adding another 100 appearances across Step 3 and Two. He’d been watched regularly by AFC Fylde and in June 2023, they gave him a two-year full-time Step One contract. “I’m ready for the Step up” he told Fylde media. “I’m a modern goalkeeper and my strongest point is my distribution.“ Sounds familiar. ‘..and I’m agile and quick too.” These were good times for Theo. The previous month while on holiday in Ibiza, he proposed to his long-term girlfriend. She accepted. Also fortunately. Richardson had family nearby so could break up the 2.5 hour from his home.
A year earlier, the goalkeeper had started his own business with his younger brother Heath, also a goalkeeper (currently with Cleethorpes). The pair own HT Goalkeeping, who design goalkeeping gloves and sell them. Myles Boney of South Shields wears them as does Jaz Singh at Tamworth and some Wolves guy.
Richardson played virtually the entire 23/24 step One season, over 40 games and being a custodiam these were all full 90 minutes, not cameos. He looked fair set to progress his career. With Fylde being very close to the Caddis residence, he’ll surely have seen Richardson in action. As so often happen in football, something went wrong. A new manager not “fancying him perhaps?” Manager rotation is a popular sport there. After playing the first two games of the 24/25 season, the keeper was dropped in favour of a season long loanee, the appropriately named Winterbottom. When Christmas rolled round, Richardson had played 5 games and with 14 goals going past him, the writing was writ large. He needed a move.
Hereford offered that lifeline of a credible club. Yes, it’s a loan but surely a “one way” loan. He won’t return. The ointment fly, certainly in the longer term is Richardson is our new longest distance player. He lives in a village North of Lincoln. 150 miles one way, over 3 hours travel to the Street. Away games will be easier of course. Still as our Gaffer points out, or new recruit has a decent CV – at least 230 games at Steps One to Three.
Welcome Theo.
Simon Wright
Images: Courtesy of AFC Fylde & Buxton
