{{short description|English footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Simon Richman | image = | image_size = 200 | caption = Richman playing for Altrincham in 2018 | fullname = Simon Andrew Richman<ref>{{Hugman|25101|accessdate=9 March 2017}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|6|2|df=y}} | birth_place = Ormskirk, England | height = 1.81m<ref>{{cite web |title=FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2009/10 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2009-2010/fltwo/portv.htm |website=footballsquads.co.uk |accessdate=24 June 2019}}</ref> | position = Midfielder | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 2000–2006| youthclubs1 = Bolton Wanderers | youthyears2 = 2006–2008| youthclubs2 = Port Vale | years1 = 2008–2010| clubs1 = Port Vale | caps1 = 48| goals1 = 5 | years2 = 2010–2011| clubs2 = Worcester City | caps2 = 37| goals2 = 4 | years3 = 2011–2021| clubs3 = Altrincham | caps3 = 314| goals3 = 21 | years4 = 2021–2023| clubs4 = Bradford (Park Avenue) | caps4 = 70| goals4 = 7 | totalcaps = 468| totalgoals = 37 | medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry| {{GBR2}} }} {{MedalSport| Football }} {{MedalSport| }} {{MedalCompetition|Universiade}} {{MedalSilver|2013 Kazan|Football}} }} '''Simon Andrew Richman''' (born 2 June 1990) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He scored 41 goals in 534 league and cup appearances in a 17-year career.
A former youth team player with Port Vale, he was a regular in the first-team throughout the 2008–09 season, picking up the club's Young Player of the Year award. He was released in the summer of 2010 when he joined Worcester City for a season. He signed with Altrincham in June 2011 and helped the club to win promotion out of the Conference North via the play-offs in 2014 and to win the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2017–18 and the National League North play-offs again in 2020. After ten years with Altrincham, he joined Bradford (Park Avenue) for two years in October 2021.
==Career== ===Port Vale=== Born in Ormskirk, Lancashire, Richman attended Maricourt Catholic School.<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/Youth/0,,10381~1071087,00.html|title=4 – Simon Richman |date=11 July 2007|work=port-vale.co.uk|accessdate=5 September 2009}}</ref> A former member of the Bolton Wanderers Academy, Richman worked his way up the ranks from the Port Vale youth team to the Reserves and broke into the main team in the 2007–08 season, signing his first professional contract in April 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7354773.stm|title=Richman agrees new deal with Vale |date=18 April 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 June 2009}}</ref>
At the beginning of the 2008–09 season, he established himself as a first-team regular, earning eight consecutive starts and also got his first league goal. However, as the season went on, the Valiants made numerous loan signings, and Richman went out of favour. On 6 December 2008, he came on as a substitute against Grimsby Town, scoring an 88th-minute winner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7752478.stm|title=Port Vale 2–1 Grimsby |date=6 December 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 June 2009}}</ref> This gave manager Dean Glover a selection headache as the youngster battled with more experienced players for a first-team slot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7769797.stm|title=Richman ready for midfield battle|date=7 December 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 December 2008}}</ref> Following that match he played another 21 games that season, his consistent performances earning him the club's Young Player of the Year Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1641394,00.html|title=Player of the Year Winners|date=27 April 2009|work=Official Port Vale website|accessdate=28 April 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430061956/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10381~1641394%2C00.html|archivedate=30 April 2009}}</ref>
In pre-season, he picked up a groin injury, which sidelined him for several months. He was later transfer listed in late September, despite being injured, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm|title=Adams puts Vale squad up for sale |date=27 September 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 September 2009}}</ref> In January 2010 he received interest off League Two club Grimsby Town and Scottish First Division side Ayr United.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-brink-fortress-Vale-Adams/article-1729322-detail/article.html#StartComments|title=Port Vale: Vale eye home improvements|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=20 January 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=20 January 2010}}</ref> His agent, former Vale legend Phil Sproson, believed a loan move would be in the player's interests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Richman-ship-step/article-1731534-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Richman may have to ship out to step up|date=21 January 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=21 January 2010}}</ref> On 20 February he made his first appearance in four months, replacing Tommy Fraser in a 2–0 defeat by Barnet.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8495941.stm|title= Port Vale 0 – 2 Barnet|date=20 February 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 February 2010}}</ref> In April 2010 he learned that he would not be offered a new contract by manager Micky Adams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8647616.stm|title=Port Vale release Lawrie, Howland, Richman & Edwards |date=27 April 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 April 2010}}</ref>
===Worcester City=== In July 2010, Richman enjoyed a trial at Conference National club, and Conference North title holders Southport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-sport/2010/07/10/southport-0-1-eastwood-town-pre-season-friendly-101022-26827006/|title=Southport 0–1 Eastwood Town – Pre-season friendly|last=Kirkbride|first=Phil|date=10 July 2010|work=Southport Visiter|accessdate=12 July 2010}}</ref> The next month he was on trial at Worcester City, where former teammate Danny Glover had found a home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/8305776.Worcester_City_4_AFC_Liverpool_1/|title=Worcester City 4 AFC Liverpool 1|last=Carley|first=Steve|date=1 August 2010|work=Worcester News|accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> He signed a contract with the club soon after.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/8316197.Three_new_signings_complete_City_squad/|title=Three new signings complete City squad|last=Carley|first=Steve|date=6 August 2010|work=Worcester News|accessdate=6 August 2010}}</ref> He enjoyed a solid start to his career, and claimed that the club helped him to rediscover his passion for the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/8442266.Richman_rediscovers_his_passion_for_the_game/|title=Richman rediscovers his passion for the game|last=Carley|first=Steve |date=9 October 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 February 2011}}</ref> Throughout the season he earned praised for his energy levels and work rate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/wcfc/carlheeley/9007678.It_was_a_campaign_of_mixed_emotions/|title=It was a campaign of mixed emotions|last=Heeley|first=Carl|date=5 May 2011|work=Worcester News|accessdate=3 June 2011}}</ref>
===Altrincham=== Offered a new contract by Worcester, Richman instead opted to sign with league rivals Altrincham.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13641943|title=Altrincham sign Simon Richman and Chris Lynch|date=3 June 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 June 2011}}</ref> He took this decision as his new club was closer to his Liverpool home, and because he had played under new manager Lee Sinnott at Port Vale.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/wcfc/news/9051573.Ex_Reds_boss_is_handed_City_role/|title=Ex-Reds boss is handed City role|last=Reeves|first=Michael|date=27 May 2011|work=Worcester News|accessdate=3 June 2011}}</ref> Richman made his Altrincham debut as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Workington. He scored his first Altrincham goal in his second appearance, again as a substitute, in 3–0 win over Histon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/110820hn.htm|title=Altrincham FC Match Reports|date=20 August 2011|work=altrinchamfc.co.uk|accessdate=21 August 2011}}</ref> The club missed out on the play-offs by 11 points in 2011–12, before securing a play-off spot by an 11-point margin in 2012–13. They were beaten 4–2 by Brackley Town in the play-off semi-finals, despite Richman scoring in a 2–1 victory at Moss Lane. The "Robins" again qualified for the play-offs in the 2013–14 campaign, and Richman played in the final as the club secured promotion with a 2–1 extra time victory over Guiseley.<ref>{{cite news|title=Altrincham strike late in extra time to beat Guiseley in play-off final|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27358109|access-date=11 May 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 May 2014}}</ref>
He played 43 games in the 2014–15 season to help Altrincham post a 17th-place finish. He made 42 appearances across the 2015–16 campaign as they were relegated in 22nd-position. He played 33 games in the 2016–17 season as Altrincham were relegated out of the National League North in last place. They made an immediate return, however, winning the Northern Premier League Premier Division title at the end of the 2017–18 season, with Richman scoring four goals from 42 matches.<ref name="sdss">{{cite news|last1=Devine|first1=Peter|title=Promotion could spark turnaround, says Alty boss|url=http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/16182913.Promotion_could_spark_turnaround__says_Alty_boss/|accessdate=13 May 2018|work=Messenger Newspapers|date=25 April 2018|language=en}}</ref> On 26 December 2018, Richman made his 300th appearance for Altrincham in a 2–0 defeat at Stockport County.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richman hits 300 appearances in red and white {{!}} Altrincham Football Club |url=https://www.altrinchamfc.com/news/richman-hits-300-appearances-in-red-and-white |website=altrinchamfc.com |accessdate=27 December 2018}}</ref> He ended the 2018–19 season with one goal in 40 appearances, helping Altrincham to the play-offs, where they were defeated by Chorley on penalties in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Swarbrick |first1=Rosie |title=Match report: Chorley 1 Altrincham 1 (Chorley win 3-1 on penalties) |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/match-report-chorley-1-altrincham-1-chorley-win-3-1-on-penalties-1-9751043 |accessdate=22 May 2019 |work=lep.co.uk |date=5 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He scored one goal in 31 appearances in the 2019–20 season, which was permanently suspended on 26 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Altrincham in the play-offs in fifth-place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612 |title=National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=22 March 2020}}</ref> The play-offs took place in the summer. Altrincham secured promotion with a 1–0 victory over Boston United at York Street on 1 August.<ref name="pof20">{{cite news |last1=Hewitt |first1=Matty |title=Play-off heartbreak in final game at York Street – Boston 0 – 1 Altrincham |url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/playoff-boston-altrincham-national-league-4386805 |accessdate=2 August 2020 |work=lincolnshirelive |date=1 August 2020}}</ref> He played just 13 games in the 2020–21 campaign<ref name="soccerway"/> and left the club at the end of the season.
===Bradford (Park Avenue)=== On 12 October 2021, Richman signed with Bradford (Park Avenue); manager Mark Bower said he was a "massive signing" who would help with Park Avenue's injuries in the midfield department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Atkinson |first1=Nathan |title=Avenue strike gold with signing of experienced Richman |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19639183.bradford-park-avenue-snap-altrincham-legend-richman/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |date=12 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="Thrilled" Bower scores Simon Richman as midfielder. |url=https://bpafc.com/thrilled-bower-scores-simon-richman-as-midfielder/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC |date=9 October 2021}}</ref> He played 27 times in the 2021–22 campaign, scoring four goals.<ref name="soccerway"/> He played 40 of the club's 46 league games in the 2022–23 campaign as Avenue were relegated in 23rd place.<ref name="soccerway"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Harry |title=REPORT: Avenue's National League North relegation confirmed as Fylde earn promotion |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/23490583.bradford-park-avenues-relegation-confirmed-fylde/ |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |date=29 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He had his contract terminated by mutual consent on 22 November 2023 after telling the club that "due to personal reasons, playing football was not a priority for him".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bpafc.com/1-in-and-1-out-at-avenue/|title=1 IN AND 1 OUT AT AVENUE|website=bpafc.com|date=22 November 2023|accessdate=23 November 2023}}</ref>
==Personal life== Richman has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Manchester.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alty Files |url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/team1819.htm |website=altrinchamfc.co.uk |access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|Port Vale||2007–08<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=48926|season=2007|accessdate=1 January 2017}}</ref>||League One||6||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||6||0 |- |2008–09<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=48926|season=2008|accessdate=1 January 2017}}</ref>||League Two||37||5||2||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=efl|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.}}||0||41||5 |- |2009–10<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=48926|season=2009|accessdate=1 January 2017}}</ref>||League Two||5||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||6||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !48!!5!!2!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!53!!5 |- |Worcester City||2010–11<ref name="soccerway"/>||Conference North||37||4||0||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=fat|Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy.}}||1||40||5 |- |rowspan="11"|Altrincham||2011–12<ref>{{cite web |title=Altrincham FC First Team Statistics Page|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/stats11.htm |website=altrinchamfc.co.uk |accessdate=27 December 2018}}</ref>||Conference North||30||2||0||0||colspan=2|—||2||0||32||2 |- |2012–13<ref>{{cite web |title=Altrincham FC First Team Statistics Page |url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/stats12.htm |website=altrinchamfc.co.uk |accessdate=27 December 2018}}</ref>||Conference North||35||8||3||0||colspan=2|—||4||1||42||9 |- |2013–14<ref>{{cite web |title=Altrincham FC First Team Statistics Page|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/stats13.htm |website=altrinchamfc.co.uk |accessdate=27 December 2018}}</ref>||Conference North||36||3||0||0||colspan=2|—||4||0||40||3 |- |2014–15<ref>{{cite web |title=Altrincham FC First Team Statistics Page|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/stats14.htm |website=altrinchamfc.co.uk |accessdate=27 December 2018}}</ref>||Conference Premier||38||1||2||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=fat}}|||0||43||1 |- |2015–16<ref>{{cite web |title=Altrincham FC First Team Statistics Page|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/stats15.htm |website=altrinchamfc.co.uk |accessdate=27 December 2018}}</ref>||National League||36||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||2|||0||41||0 |- |2016–17<ref>{{cite web |title=Altrincham FC First Team Statistics Page|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/stats16.htm |website=altrinchamfc.co.uk |accessdate=27 December 2018}}</ref>||National League North||33||2||2||0||colspan=2|—||5||1||40||3 |- |2017–18||Northern Premier League<br>Premier Division||37||3||0||0||colspan=2|—||5||1||42||4 |- |2018–19<ref name="altg">{{cite web|title=Player Statistics|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/statistics.htm|publisher=altrinchamfc.co.uk|accessdate=13 May 2018}}</ref>||National League North||36||1||0||0||colspan=2|—||4||0||40||1 |- |2019–20<ref name="altg"/>||National League North||21||1||3||0||colspan=2|—||10||0||34||1 |- |2020–21<ref name="soccerway">{{soccerway|simon-richman/50699}}</ref>||National League||11||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=fat}}||0||13||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !314!!21!!14!!0!!0!!0!!40!!3!!367!!24 |- |rowspan="4"|Bradford (Park Avenue) |2021–22<ref name="soccerway"/>||National League North||25||4||0||0||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|name=fat}}||0||27||4 |- |2022–23<ref name="soccerway"/>||National League North||40||3||0||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=fat}}||0||41||3 |- |2023–24<ref>{{cite web |title=Bradford (Park Avenue) {{!}} Appearances {{!}} Simon Richman {{!}} Football Web Pages |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/bradford-park-avenue/appearances/simon-richman/955968 |website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>||Northern Premier League<br>Premier Division||5||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=fat}}||0||6||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !70!!7!!0!!0!!0!!0!!4!!0!!74!!7 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !468!!37!!16!!0!!2!!0!!48!!4!!534!!41 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Altrincham''' *Conference North play-offs: 2013–14 *Northern Premier League Premier Division: 2017–18<ref name="sdss"/> *National League North play-offs: 2019–20<ref name="pof20"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Richman, Simon}} Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Ormskirk Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Port Vale F.C. players Category:Worcester City F.C. players Category:Altrincham F.C. players Category:Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:FISU World University Games silver medalists for Great Britain Category:Summer World University Games medalists in football Category:Medalists at the 2013 Summer Universiade Category:Alumni of the University of Manchester Category:21st-century English sportsmen