Former Bristol Rovers, Exeter City, Hereford, and Tranmere Rovers star joins new club at 32
Eliot Richards of Pontypridd United in action. Pontypridd United v Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier at USW Sports Park on the 23rd December 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Penybont have signed former Football League midfielder Eliot Richards.
The 32-year-old had been without a club after leaving Pontypridd United this summer alongside Corey Jenkins, James Bloom, and six others. He made his debut on Friday as he came on in the 54th-minute for former Cardiff City youngster Lewys Ware who made his first league start for the Boot.
A club statement read: “We’re pleased to announce the signing of Eliot Richards.
“Eliot is an experienced player who joins us following spells at Bristol Rovers, Hereford, Merthyr Town, and Pontypridd Utd.
“Welcome to the club, Eliot.”
His move came after earlier this month, he tweeted: “Finally free. Onto the next challenge wherever that may be..”
Richards joined Pontypridd in the summer of 2022 and made 16 appearances in total. He didn’t score for the Dragons but did get two assists last term.
As for his playing career before the Cymru Premier, he played in the English Football League for several clubs.
His career began at Bristol Rovers and he made 129 appearances for the Gas, scoring 22 goals and notching up 15 assists in League One and League Two.
He had a loan spell at Exeter City in which he got five goals and an assist in 17 games, as well as efforts for Tranmere Rovers and Cheltenham Town.
Richards played in the National League for Bath City and Weston-super-Mare and also played for Hereford and Merthyr Town in the lower levels of English football.
Former Merthyr Town forward Corey Jenkins also found a new home earlier this month. The 32-year-old has joined Ardal South East outfit Treowen Stars.
Jenkins was part of the Dragons side which won promotion to the Cymru Premier, and he contributed to their second-placed finish with two assists and a goal in 27 games. He was limited to 20 appearances last season but got an assist in the 3-2 win against Flint Town United on the final day.
As for the rest of the summer departures, Harry Irving, James Saddler and Lee Baldock all headed to Ardal South East league leaders Trethomas Bluebirds. Joe Evans is on loan at Cardiff Met, meanwhile James Bloom signed for Newport City.
