Richards Raring For Season Start

After adding another two goals to his pre-season tally, Margate forward Jack Richards is ready and raring to go for the real stuff, starting this Saturday against Brightlingsea Regent.

Since joining Hartsdown Park from Maidstone United, Richards has made a very positive first impression. Demonstrating pace and skill, tenacity and drive, he is yet another Jay Saunders signing to spark the enthusiasm of Margate supporters.

Speaking about his first pre-season away from The Gallagher, it seems Richards has settled into life at his new home seamlessly. After the 5-2 victory over Hythe Town, Richards said:

“It’s the most amount of games I have played for a long time but I’m feeling really good, really fit and to be fair all the boys are looking sharp for next week.”

“We have got a great back four, creative midfielder and good forwards, so we have got more than enough to contend with for this league.”

“Hythe were a good test; they’ve got good lads like Frannie and Tom, so they were going to have a go, but I thought we were too much for them. I think we’ve been too much for every team we’ve played. We might not have been playing our best at the times, but we’ve been more than enough.”

Richards added, “We have a young team which a lot of people have mentioned to me, but I think we’ve shown in our results and displays, we have leaders out there. We have great vocal points from the keeper to the striker.”

Saturday’s goals provided some moments of magic and Richards confessed he was surprised to be afforded the free-kick opportunity in the first place…

“I’m surprised when they let me take it! We have a lot of banter in training about who’s taking free-kicks but even some of lads said to me before I took it, they had a feeling I’d score.”

And assessing the second special strike, Richards had a team-mate to credit in the background.

“I was running with the ball and I’ve heard Swifty shouting at me to shoot! I knew as soon as I took it inside what I was going to do, as I thought they’d dive in or stand me up. Once I finished it, I made sure I turned around to see him! I’m glad I’ve got another couple of goals.” 

Now focus turns to this Saturday’s season opener, Richards cannot wait to start playing for points and to properly open his new chapter with the club.

“I have been involved in men’s football for about four or five seasons now and I haven’t been this excited. I’m really enjoying my football at the minute and do you know what, I think all the boys are. We can’t wait for Saturday.”

For anyone umming or ahhing about coming to HDP at the weekend, Richards’ message was clear.

“If you want to enjoy watching football be played, come down and watch us. There are a lot of big teams who will bang it but we’re different. We can get the ball down and play and if we need to do that we can as well, if need be. If anyone lives around the area of further down, if you want to watch a good game, watch us.” 

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