“I was playing for Accrington Stanley reserves prior to signing for Clitheroe and made a few first team starts in the Unibond premier league. I was asked by Steve Parry to join at the beginning of the 1999 - 2000 season, and it was a no brainer to join Shawbridge and get regular playing action.”

Former goalkeeper Kris Richens spoke to the club website about his time at Shawbridge and hopes to get down supporting the club again soon after many years away from the club he loves.

Playing over 250 games for the club, Richens was an ever present as the team’s number one. Playing in what was in some people’s eyes the clubs most successful years.

The 38 year old former shot stopper reflected on his favourite memories at the club and definitely had some stories to tell, some of which would surely inspire the current ‘Class of 2014’ to similar glories;

“I will never forget the FA vase quarter final away at Chippenham. We went as massive under dogs playing in front of about 2,500 people. 100 of which came from Clitheroe. I had one of my best matches for the club and we went through. It was a massive achievement for the club and the players. I can remember celebrating with Keith Lord on the pitch and all the supporters that went down afterwards.”

He went on to say;

“Winning the North West Counties was also a highlight. We had been close a few times coming second but going down to Nantwich Town on the last day will always be my best moment. It was a baking hot day and the pitch was rock hard the game was a bit of a blur, I can remember some Mossley fans came to watch because if we got beat they would have won the title, but the Clitheroe supporters were great as usual. I can remember Reno scoring the winner and then everyone just went mental, a fantastic day!!!”

Richens had a lot of praise for Clitheroe legend Keith Lord, who helped him through many good and bad times and shared Richens favourite memories with him;

“The biggest influence at the club for me was Keith Lord. I have never met anyone with as much passion for a club in my life, he lived and breathed Clitheroe and everyone wanted to win for him. He would never let us train on the pitch, he would moan about the ref every game and would still have something to say if we won five nil. A few years back when Keith passed away all of the 2004 squad turned up to pay their respects and I think that just shows what we all thought of the man. RIP Keith.”

On the pitch, Richens was a true character and enjoyed sharing banter with the Blues fans on and off the pitch. He spoke of his memories regarding some clubhouse antics and his close relationship with the Blues fans;

“When Scully and Diddy where managing the players use to get fined for not going into the club house after to have a pint with them, they used to have a song or two about myself but I will leave it there. I better mention my mate Adam Gardner who was captain then, we went to every game and training together.”

“We were team mates but also good friends, we went out all the time together after the games, but we had a great team spirit that sometimes got us through games we should have lost, a lot of laughs and a few tears happened in the dressing room but for me they are what I miss most.”

Clitheroe’s former number one has not graced the terraces of Shawbridge since his departure but hopes to return very soon to cheer on his former side and believes the team are fighting above expectations;

“I have not been down for a few years now but all the lads are hoping to get down early next year, I always look for the score on the website every Monday and think Simon is doing a good job. After I left Clitheroe I went to Ramsbottom for a year or so with Lee Cryer.”

“When I had my first child it was too much to be out all day Saturday and train twice a week so I gave it up. I just hope my children get the same enjoyment out of football as I did when at Clitheroe.”