It was with much sadness that we learned of the death of Mick Richards.
Mick, who passed away aged 87 on Wednesday, 3rd June, enjoyed three separate spells as a goalkeeper for Wellington Town and then Telford United, both forerunners of our current-day club.
Mick was born in Codsall in 1939, in the months before the start of World War II, and spent an early spell in his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Following two years of National Service, Mick signed for Wellington Town, but after four seasons with the Lilywhites, he was offered the opportunity to join Oxford United, where he played alongside a young wing-half named Ron Atkinson.
A return to Shropshire took him to Shrewsbury Town, under manager Arthur Rowley, followed by his first ‘homecoming’ to the Buck’s Head, in 1964.
A broken arm curtailed Mick’s 1964-65 season, and he was replaced in the Wellington goal by no less a figure than Bert Trautmann, the former paratrooper and German POW who wrote himself into football folklore when winning the FA Cup with Manchester City in 1956.
Mick returned to the Lilywhites side the following season but was to be on the move again, joining Tamworth. He enjoyed two Birmingham League and Cup doubles with the Lambs, and they won promotion to the Southern League.
By this time, Mick was now very much a semi-professional footballer, working as a self-employed builder alongside football. He was to make one more return to the club that most felt like home, by now named Telford United, and although he wasn’t involved on the day, he understudied Bobby Irvine as the club reached Wembley in the first-ever FA Trophy final in 1970.
Short spells at Rugby Town and Nuneaton Borough preceded a return to Shropshire, and he ended his playing career with GKN Sankey.
Mick then turned his attention to his own construction company and his family. With three sons, he could often be found pitchside supporting them, and he stayed active, playing veterans football and also being a dab hand on the tennis court.
Sadly, Mick was predeceased by his wife, Edna, and also his son, Gary, who, along with his younger brother Stuart, achieved local recognition in 2022 as one half of the Wrekin Rowers, who completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
Mick’s association with our club and his construction business, combined with his personal qualities of warmth and resilience, meant he was both hugely well-liked and well-known.
Men like Mick Richards, who both played for and lived in Telford, are harder to find in our modern football landscape; he represented us with pride and distinction, and he became part of the fabric of the Telford community, too.
We send our condolences and best wishes to his sons, Dave and Stuart, and their families, as well as to anyone who enjoyed his company or regarded him as a friend, and invite you to pay your own tribute to Mick on our social media posts.
We will mark Mick's passing in the 2026/27 season, when we reunite at the SEAH Stadium.
Rest in Peace, Mick, and thank you.
Numquam Obliviscere.
Details of Mick’s funeral arrangements are as follows:
Friday, 3rd July, 3:30 pm at Telford Crematorium.
Family flowers only please, however donations will be gratefully received for the Severn Hospice.