Marc Richards

Blackburn Rovers

Richards started his professional career at Blackburn Rovers, but was on the books of Conference side Hednesford Town before moving to Ewood Park. He made his Rovers debut under manager Graeme Souness in a 2–0 defeat to West Ham United at Upton Park in the League Cup on 31 October 2000; he was replaced by David Dunn after 68 minutes. He was taken on a one-month loan by Dario Gradi at First Division side Crewe Alexandra at the start of the 2001–02 season. There he scored his first career goal in a League Cup victory against York City at Bootham Crescent on 21 August; his headed goal levelled the tie at 2–2 in extra time. He was subsequently booked for over-celebrating, though this did not stop him from scoring the winning goal in the penalty shoot-out. He left Gresty Road with one goal in five games, and in October 2001 joined Andy Ritchie's Second Division Oldham Athletic in another month. He played six games for Oldham, scoring once against Tranmere Rovers in the Football League Trophy, again with a header. He spent two months on loan at Alan Little's Halifax Town from February 2002, but remained goalless in his five games for the struggling Third Division club. In November 2002, he went out to Swansea City on loan for the rest of the season. Brian Flynn's "Swans" avoided relegation out of the English Football League by just a single point. However, Richards managed a respectable tally of seven goals in 17 games. He got his first league goal at…

He has been capped at England under-18 and under-20 levels. He scored in an under-20 international friendly against Finland in 76 minutes after coming on as a substitute for Arsenal's John Halls on 57 minutes.

An accomplished set piece taker, he is also a goalscorer from open play. He can also hold the ball up well for his teammates. In five years at Port Vale he scored 15 of his 20 penalties, a success rate of 75%. Former Port Vale teammate Tom Pope described him as a "natural goalscorer".

Richards returned to their former club, Northampton Town, as a youth team coach in June 2018. He was named as Assistant Professional Development Phase Coach in September 2020 and promoted to first-team coach the following year. On 14 March 2026, Richards and Shane Goddard switched roles temporarily with Richards becoming Under 18's manager. Richards left the club three months later.