# Lewis Richards (footballer, born 2001)

Lewis Paul Jimmy Richards (born 15 October 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Bradford City. Born in England, he represents Ireland at youth level.

## Career

Richards began his career in the Brentford Academy, before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers after the closure of the academy in 2016.
On 13 January 2022, Richards joined League Two club Harrogate Town on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season, playing his first game for the club on 22 January in a 3–0 home win against Oldham Athletic, where he was substituted in the 82nd minute for Nathan Sheron.
He returned to Harrogate in July 2022 for a second loan spell. This was cut short in January 2023 when Richards sustained an ankle injury which ruled him out for four months and he returned to his parent club.
On 18 August 2023, Richards signed for Bradford City, joining on an initial two-year contract. His debut came on 19 August 2023 in a 3–0 away defeat at Morecambe; after the match, he said the players had let the fans down. Richards suffered an injury during a match on 26 December 2023, and was ruled out for a few weeks. After returning to first-team action, he was injured again in February 2024.
In September 2024, in his first league start of the 2024–25 season, Richards suffered an injury. He suffered a further injury, to his shoulder, in November 2024. His shoulder injury returned in February 2025, but Richards delayed surgery in order to remain available for the club in their late season promotion push. Later that month he was reported to be close to a return.

## Style of play

As of November 2024, Richards was primarily playing for Bradford City as a left wing back, having also played in the centre of defence. Bradford City manager Graham Alexander said Richards needed confidence in his new role as a wing back.

## Career statistics

    As of match played on 25 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2019–20 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2020–21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2022–23 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Harrogate Town (loan) | 2021–22 | League Two | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Harrogate Town (loan) | 2022–23 | League Two | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Bradford City | 2023–24 | League Two | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 30 | 1 |
| Bradford City | 2024–25 | League Two | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| Bradford City | Total | Total | 48 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 58 | 3 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 65 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 88 | 3 |
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearances in EFL Trophy