Richards’ Fee Just 50 K

Former Colchester United defender Garry Richards, now with Southend, left the club for a mere £50,000, it has emerged.

The 21-year-old, a product of the U’s youth academy, made the switch across Essex having placed himself on the transfer list in a quest for first-team football, after his rehabilitation from injury, during the last season.

Richards penned a two-year contract with the Blues, leaving despite his regular appearances under former U’s manager Phil Parkinson during the 2005/6 promotion-winning season.

At the time of his departure last month, Colchester manager Geriant Williams told BBC Essex: “We had discussions with Garry and his agent. I told him I couldn’t guarantee him a start so the two of them felt his interests were best served by moving on.”