# Richard Tait (footballer)

Richard Neil Peter Tait (born 2 December 1989) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a full-back.
He played professionally for Nottingham Forest, Cambridge United, Grimsby Town, Motherwell and St. Mirren. He has also played non-league football for Curzon Ashton and Tamworth.

## Playing career
### Early years

Born in Galashiels, Tait began his career with Ashton-under-Lyne side Curzon Ashton. In January 2008, Tait was signed on a youth contract by Nottingham Forest. On 28 March 2009, Tait joined Conference North side Tamworth on loan. At the end of the 2008–09 Tait was released by Forest.

### Tamworth

Tait was snapped up by Conference North side Tamworth following the successful loan. He appeared regularly for the side, and helped Tamworth gain promotion from the Conference North as champions in the 2008–09 season.
He signed a new deal in February 2012.

### Cambridge United

On 8 May 2013 Tait joined Cambridge United. He appeared in 35 league matches during the season, helping the club return to League Two, being a part of the team that won promotion by winning the 2014 Conference Premier play-off final. On 8 August 2014 Tait played in Cambridge's first match back in League Two, starting in a 1–0 home win against Plymouth Argyle. At the end of the 2014–15 season the club did not offer him a new deal when his contract expired.

### Grimsby Town

On 30 June 2015, Tait signed for Conference National side Grimsby Town.
Tait played in Grimsby's 3–1 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the 2016 National League play-off final at Wembley, seeing Grimsby promoted to League Two after a six-year absence from the Football League.

### Motherwell

On 23 June 2016, Tait signed for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell, agreeing a three-year contract. He scored his first goal for Motherwell on 29 October 2016, in a 4–1 win over Ross County. In his last season at Motherwell he helped the Steelmen finish third in the Scottish Premiership which got them into the Europa League qualifiers.

### St. Mirren

On 18 June 2020, Tait signed for Scottish Premiership club St. Mirren, on a two-year deal.
Tait announced his retirement from professional football following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season.

## Career statistics

    As of 27 May 2023
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Curzon Ashton | 2007–08 | NPL Division One North | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2007–08 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2008–09 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nottingham Forest | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tamworth (loan) | 2008–09 | Conference North | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Tamworth | 2009–10 | Conference Premier | 41 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 41 | 3 |
| Tamworth | 2010–11 | Conference Premier | 41 | 1 | 4 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 46 | 1 |
| Tamworth | 2011–12 | Conference Premier | 41 | 1 | 4 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 46 | 1 |
| Tamworth | 2012–13 | Conference Premier | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 3 | 0 | 38 | 1 |
| Tamworth | Total | Total | 157 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 171 | 7 |
| Cambridge United | 2013–14 | Conference Premier | 35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| Cambridge United | 2014–15 | League Two | 37 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 0 |
| Cambridge United | Total | Total | 72 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 88 | 0 |
| Grimsby Town | 2015–16 | National League | 37 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | – | 10 | 0 | 51 | 0 |
| Motherwell | 2016–17 | Scottish Premiership | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | – | – | 31 | 1 |
| Motherwell | 2017–18 | Scottish Premiership | 34 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 1 | – | – | 46 | 2 |
| Motherwell | 2018–19 | Scottish Premiership | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 45 | 2 |
| Motherwell | 2019–20 | Scottish Premiership | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | – | 20 | 0 |
| Motherwell | Total | Total | 111 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 5 |
| St Mirren | 2020–21 | Scottish Premiership | 33 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | – | – | 43 | 2 |
| St Mirren | 2021–22 | Scottish Premiership | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 30 | 0 |
| St Mirren | 2022–23 | Scottish Premiership | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 14 | 1 |
| St Mirren | Total | Total | 72 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 3 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 453 | 12 | 36 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 543 | 15 |
* 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
* ↑ Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
* ↑ Seven appearances in FA Trophy, three in National League play-offs

## Honours
### Club
#### Tamworth

* Conference North: 2008–09

#### Cambridge United

* Conference Premier play-offs: 2014
* FA Trophy: 2013–14

#### Grimsby Town

* National League play-offs: 2016
* FA Trophy runner-up: 2015–16