Cammell Laird defender Sean Richards eager to make an impression

Nov 21 2012 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

WITH winter fast approaching, one thing Cammell Laird manager Tony Sullivan will need is quality back-ups for his first team.

And one player champing at the bit is defender Sean Richards, who has enjoyed most of his football in recent weeks off the bench.

Richards, who hasn’t started a game since September, has spoken of the quality in the squad, not just in the starting XI.

He said: “The competition for places is great, we’ve got it all over the park now so it keeps everyone working hard. I’m not in the team at the moment but I’m ready to do a job when called upon.”

The 21-year-old joined the club in the summer after playing for Morecambe, Vauxhall Motors and AFC Liverpool.

The right-back went straight into the team from the off at Ramsbottom United but has been in and out of the squad ever since.

While the team have been picking up results in the league, the Liverpudlian has been playing his part off the bench and paid tribute to his teammates.

“Our recent form is down to everyone working for each other and things are coming off in the final third a bit more,” he said. “Up front Jamie Henders is on fire, he’s a top player, if he can keep scoring and we stay strong at the back we should fly up the league.

“We’ve played most of the top teams in our league and there’s nothing to fear. If we can carry this form on through Christmas, we could sneak the playoffs but obviously there’s a long way to go yet.”

Richards watched from the sidelines last weekend as Lairds fell slightly short against FC Halifax Town in the FA Trophy, but he has full faith in the manager that brought him to the club to make this a successful season.

“It was frustrating because we did really well against Halifax and probably didn’t deserve to lose – if we can take that into the league, not many teams will beat us.

“Sully has been great since I joined, he’s good with the lads and get’s us all going. He can have a good laugh too which helps, so we’re all turning into good mates now.”