Marcus Richardson Was Good Until He Signed Permanently

We all have a good story about a loan player who was great until he signed permanently – Jae Martin is one that I recall. Another that people often cite is Marcus Richardson, and he is a player I’ll happily argue about. I often claim he was a good player for us, someone who could have turned the 2005 Play-Off Final, and I get told he was rubbish after he got a permanent deal.

That’s not correct. He initially signed on loan from Hartlepool twice, scoring four League Two goals in 17 appearances. It’s remembered he did well on loan, because he netted three in three in September 2003, and bagged as we beat Huddersfield 3-1. However, he joined in January 2004 on a permanent basis and scored nine in 37. That’s not woeful, nor were his goals in the 2004/05 season. He got a 90th-minute winner from the bench against Northampton and netted a brace against Yeovil, who went on to be champions.

So there. He wasn’t rubbish after we signed him.