Below are the words from the great man himself. Posted on our Facebook Group. The comments that followed spoke for themselves. Rich was the best keeper we had, and i played with a few decent ones back in the day. He was respected throughout the club, by players, management, committee and supporters alike.

He was, and still is massively popular, as he can be found with a beer in his hand around the club most weekends, finally helping out our Reserve team after coming back from a long injury.
Apart from a shed load of wonderful saves, and some classic shithousery when the game needed slowing down, my abiding memories will be the intense penalty shootouts he was involved in. Twice saving the opposition's last kick, before going on to score with our last one!
Great shift mate, enjoy retirement, if you can.

Rich's words.

"I first walked into this wonderful club a 16 year old lad, greener than the grass on the pitch. We were in the Northern Senior league , there were no box nets, stands, floodlights or even a fence around the pitch.
What has happened over the proceeding 21 years has been incredible, I’m so thankful to have been a small part in this clubs progress. Not just the promotions and league titles, but how we have evolved as a club as a whole.
The people behind the scenes, we’re now a semi pro club.
9 chairman, 14 mangers, hundreds of teammates and thousands of spectators and I’m so so thankful for every single one of them for how we’ve built this club over the decades. It has truly been an honour to represent my hometown club over 600 times, from player, captain and even manager for a short stint!

After tomorrow, the time has come for me to join you on the sidelines.
People will tell me what I’ve done for this club, but in truth, it’s what this club has done for me.
Again, thank you, for everything."
Rich