Dean Richards....dies aged 36......RIP

[spangley1812]

Dean Richards, the former Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Wolves defender, has died at the age of 36.

When Richards moved from Saints to Spurs in 2001 in an £8.1m deal it was the highest amount paid for a player with no senior international caps.

Just four years after that record switch, he was forced to end his 13-year playing career because of illness.

Since 2007, Richards had been youth-team coach at hometown club Bradford City, where he began his career.

In 1995 Richards was signed by Wolves and four years later moved to then-Premiership side Southampton, who were managed by current Cardiff boss Dave Jones at the time.

Richards also impressed under Jones's successor Glenn Hoddle, who took the centre-half with him to White Hart Lane in 2001.

Richards was dogged by injury at Spurs, however, making 73 appearances in his four years in north London.

After suffering dizzy spells and headaches, Richards was advised it would be harmful to his health to continue playing and hung up his boots in March 2005.

He had initially been diagnosed with an inner ear infection and underwent a scan for a brain tumour, which came back negative.

Richards played for England's Under-21s on four occasions but did not win any caps at senior level.

[Axl Rose]

Awful news. My thoughts are with you and your family Dean

Rest in peace

[PaulWinch again]

RIP horrible.

[garyshawsknee]

Thats shocking news,if he hadn't had his injury couldv'e become a great great player. Thoughts to his family,R.I.P.

[cdbearsfan]

RIP

[CT]

36, no age at all, very sad.

RIP.

[manic-road]

Sad news, he was a decent player in his time.

[eamonn]

Scary, terrible news. I remember he once got a late winner for Southampton at VP in one of the most turgid Gregory-era games, late 1999 I think.
Very good player, the pressure of a big price-tag and injuries stopped him from being one of the best. Always seemed to come across as a decent bloke when interviewed.
Condolences to his family and friends, he was far too young.

[Arsey]

That is terrible, I had no idea he was ill. 

[pablopicasso_10]

awful for such a young man to pass away...

rip...

[TheSandman]

Really sad news.

He was class on his day.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Afwul, 36 is no age! 3 years older than me!

Just goes to show you. Im surprised a test didn't show the tumour

[Bernie]

RIP

[Lambert and Payne]

Far too young. RIP Dean, thoughts to your family and friends

[Toronto Villa]

very sad indeed. He had to quit his career early due to illness, and it's obviously got the better of him. Very young to go.