Chairman Andy Pountney explained: "We're delighted to bring Richard on board. We believe that he's ideally suited for the role. He currently works as a Director of Football across two schools, holds a BA degree in Physical Education and is an UEFA 'B' qualified coach. He previously enjoyed a fine playing career in both non-league and league football and has also had a taste of team management, so he's built up a wealth of skills and experience."

Andy continued: "We want to see more of our most promising players making the transition from our youth ranks into the first team fold and this appointment is a part of the process of giving our youngsters every opportunity to make the step up. Richard will oversee the coaching practices of the youth and academy set-ups and aid player development. He will work as a link between both teams and Gary and the other members of the senior team coaching staff as we look to integrate players into the first team environment. We believe that Richard can be a mentor-like figure to our younger players as he can call on his own experiences."

Richard, who hails from Dudley, actually made a handful of appearances for the Glassboys as a 16/17 year old in the 1987/88 season before making his mark at Kidderminster Harriers where the midfielder chalked up over 300 appearances before earning the move into League football with Birmingham City as a 24-year old in 1995.

Between 1995 and 2004 Richard made over 250 appearances in League football as he enjoyed stints with Blues, Stoke City, Blackpool, Peterborough United and Cheltenham Town.

He joined Northwich Victoria in the summer of 2004, but in early September 2004 he suffered a cruciate ligament injury that curtailed his playing career in the higher levels of the game.

Richard managed AFC Wulfrunians in the MFL Premier Division during the first half of the 2017/18 campaign before stepping down in January 2018 and he later took interim charge of Cradley Town to help the West Midlands League side out.