One of the most prolific scorers in the history of Wolverhampton Wanderers, in 1967 John Richards left school in Warrington and joined the Molineux club, he then turned professional two years later. He made his debut in the Old Gold and Black colours at the Hawthornes in February 1970, a match Wolves drew 3-3. His first goal arrived in the Anglo-Italian Tournament v Fiorentia (away) in May 1970 and his first league goal followed against Huddersfield Town (home) in September 1970 when he came on as sub in a Division 1 match.
He formed a brilliant partnership with Derek Dougan, but it was 1971-72 before he established himself as a regular first-team member, scoring 16 goals in 48 games and gaining a UEFA Cup runners-up medal. The following season he was the country's leading goal scorer with 33 league and cup goals and another three in the Texaco Cup. His total included hat-tricks against Stoke City (home 5-3) and Everton (home 4-2). At the end of that season he won his only England cap when he played in a 2-1 win over Northen Ireland, and he also represented his country at schoolboy, Under 21 and Under 23 levels.
In 1974 he scored the winning goal in Wolves 2-1 win over Man City in the League Cup final and in 1976-77 he helped Wolves win the Second Division Championship. In 1980 he was a member of the Wolves side that beat Notts Forest 1-0 in the League Cup final.
He went on to score 194 goals in 486 games before leaving Molineux in rather sad circumstances and a lot of fans were annoyed at his leaving, this after he had been on loan to Derby County (Nov 1982). He joined the Portuguese side Maritimo of Medeira and spent three years there before returning to England to begin working for the Wolverhampton Leisure Services Department. The becoming Wolves managing director, leaving his position at the start of the 2000/01 season.
John is also the only player to have received two benefits at Wolves one in 1982 and then in 1986 three years after he had left the club.

John Richard's Wolves Career