Richard Brindley

Born in Norwich, Brindley began his career at Norwich City, where he played as either a central midfielder or as a full-back. He joined the club at the age of nine, and it was announced in October 2008 that he would be offered a scholarship that would begin in June 2009. He broke into the youth team in 2009, scoring against Aston Villa after coming on as a substitute.{{cite web |url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/brindley.htm |title=Richard Brindley |publisher=Flown From The Nest |accessdate=13 January 2013 }}

In May 2012, a year after turning professional at Norwich City, it was announced that Brindley would not be offered a new contract and would be released by the club, yet to make a first-team appearance.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18108069 |title=Norwich City release Zak Whitbread and Aaron Wilbraham |date=17 May 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2 June 2015 }}

Brindley signed for Conference South side Chelmsford City in the summer of 2012 following his release from Carrow Road. He made his debut on 18 August in their 1–1 draw with Havant & Waterlooville at West Leigh Park.{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/08/18/england/conference-n--s/havant-and-waterlooville-fc/chelmsford-city-fc/1309454/ |title=Havant & Waterlooville vs. Chelmsford City 1 – 1 |date=18 August 2012 |publisher=Soccerway |accessdate=2 June 2015 }}

During his time with Chelmsford, Brindley played one game for the UK Football Finder Elite Development Squad on 12 September in a match against a Leatherhead XI, with his side coming out 4–2 victors.{{cite web |url=http://www.ukfffc.co.uk/club/254451/Matches/report/4502107 |title=Match Report |date=12 September 2012 |publisher=UK Football Finder Football Club |accessdate=23 December 2014 }}

Brindley scored his first and only goal for Chelmsford on 10 December when they defeated Hampton & Richmond Borough 3–2 in the FA Trophy. He scored after only one minute of play.{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/12/10/england/fa-trophy/chelmsford-city-fc/hampton-and-richmond-borough-fc/1415677/ |title=Chelmsford City vs. Hampton & Richmond 3 – 2 |date=10 December 2012 |publisher=Soccerway |accessdate=2 June 2015 }} He played his final game for the club on 12 January 2013, starting in a 3–0 defeat to Halifax Town at The Shay in the FA Trophy.{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/01/12/england/fa-trophy/fc-halifax-town/chelmsford-city-fc/1422227/ |title=Halifax Town vs. Chelmsford City 3 – 0 |date=12 January 2013 |publisher=Soccerway |accessdate=2 June 2015 }} He made ten Conference South appearances and three FA Trophy appearances in addition to his one goal. He also featured in the FA Cup four times, including starting in the first round 3–1 win over Colchester United,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20107442 |title=Chelmsford 3–1 Colchester |last=Osborne |first=Chris |date=3 November 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2 June 2015 }} and the 3–0 second round defeat to Crawley Town.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20474620 |title=Crawley Town 3–0 Chelmsford |date=1 December 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2 June 2015 }} He made 24 appearances in all competitions for Chelmsford, and was also awarded with three man of the match awards during his time at the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/20130117-brindley-makes-proact-move-605345.aspx |title=Brindley Makes Proact Move |date=17 January 2013 |publisher=Chesterfield FC |accessdate=17 January 2013 }}

League Two side Chesterfield signed Brindley on 17 January 2013, with the deal running until the end of the 2012–13 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21062124 |title=Chesterfield sign Chelmsford City full-back Richard Brindley |date=17 January 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=17 January 2013 }} His first outing for the club was in the Derbyshire Senior Cup on 29 January in Chesterfield's 4–2 win against Belper Town. Coach John Dungworth was pleased with Brindley's debut, saying that he was "energetic and full of confidence".{{cite web |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/20130130-new-duo-please-coach-627909.aspx |title=New Duo Please Coach |date=30 January 2013 |publisher=Chesterfield FC |accessdate=23 December 2014 }} Prior to making a first-team appearance, Brindley said that his chance with the club showed "great opportunity to progress" and that he would "like to stay longer [than the end of the season]".{{cite news |date=2 February 2013 |title=Spireites: Richard Brindley hopes to remain at Chesterfield |url=http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/chesterfield-fc/chesterfield-fc-news/spireites-richard-brindley-hopes-to-remain-at-chesterfield-1-5376690 |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |location=Chesterfield |accessdate=2 June 2015 }}

Brindley made his Football League and professional debut on 9 February, where he came on as a substitute for Danny Whitaker in the final minutes of a 2–0 home win over AFC Wimbledon.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21311663 |title=Chesterfield 2–0 AFC Wimbledon |date=9 February 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=23 December 2014 }} Though he only had limited playing time on his debut, Brindley said that he was "grateful" for the opportunity.{{cite web |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/20130211-brindley-grateful-for-opportunity-649236.aspx |title=Brindley Grateful For Opportunity |date=11 February 2013 |publisher=Chesterfield FC |accessdate=23 December 2014 }} He provided an assist for Marc Richards to score the only goal in a 1–0 win over Oxford United on 16 March.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21724288 |title=Oxford Utd 0–1 Chesterfield |date=16 March 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=23 December 2014 }}

After making nine appearances for the Spireites, Brindley was dropped from the squad ahead of a match against Barnet in April over contractual issues, where negotiations between both parties broke down concerning the extension of his deal with the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22064689 |title=Chesterfield pair left out over contract hold up |date=8 April 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=23 December 2014 }} He would eventually end the season having played twelve League Two games,{{Soccerbase season|68123|2012|name=Richard Brindley|access-date=3 June 2015}} but his long-term future was still not resolved by the end of the campaign.{{cite news |date=29 April 2013 |title=Spireites: Neal Trotman among seven players released by Chesterfield |url=http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/spireites-neal-trotman-among-seven-players-released-by-chesterfield-1-5627135 |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |location=Chesterfield |accessdate=3 June 2015 }}

File:Richard Brindley (Rotherham United) 2013-07-28 00-25.jpg in July 2013.]]

Following the expiry of his contract at Chesterfield, Brindley joined League One side Rotherham United on 23 May 2013. He signed a two-year deal at the New York Stadium. His new manager Steve Evans said that Rotherham had "watched him [Brindley] at Chesterfield on four occasions and we knew then that he was a top talent".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22641851 |title=Rotherham United sign Richard Brindley and Adam Collin |date=23 May 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} Following the move, Brindley added that he was determined to prove himself at League One level, setting himself a target of getting "first-team experience and experience in League One".{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11747/8730181/millers-new-boy-out-to-impress |title=Millers new boy out to impress |date=23 May 2013 |publisher=Sky Sports |accessdate=23 December 2014 }}

Brindley made his Rotherham debut in the opening game of the 2013–14 season, starting in a 3–3 draw with Crewe Alexandra.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23474927 |title=Crewe 3–3 Rotherham |date=3 August 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=23 December 2014 }} During the first few weeks of the season, Brindley held down the right-back spot following an injury to Utility player Mark Bradley, who provided competition for the position across the season,{{cite news |last1=Payne |first1=Lee |date=18 September 2013 |title=Rotherham United: Mark's big wish |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham/rotherham-united-mark-s-big-wish-1-6059227 |newspaper=The Star |location=Sheffield |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} and on-loan Newcastle United right-back James Tavernier.{{cite news |date=28 December 2013 |title=Ritherham United: Millers will hope to get Dicko again |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham/ritherham-united-millers-will-hope-to-get-dicko-again-1-6339511 |newspaper=The Star |location=Sheffield |accessdate=3 June 2015 }}

Brindley fell out of favour for the early part of 2014, starting only twice between December 2013 and May 2014. A host of injuries saw Brindley recalled to the starting line-up for Rotherham's play-off first leg match at Preston North End on 10 May, but was substituted after only 23 minutes following an injury.{{cite news |date=12 May 2014 |title=Triumph over adversity: Preston 1 Rotherham United 1 |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham/triumph-over-adversity-preston-1-rotherham-united-1-1-6610695 |newspaper=The Star |location=Sheffield |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} After Rotherham reached the play-off final, Brindley started the match on the bench, but came on for Wes Thomas after 54 minutes at Wembley Stadium while Rotherham were 2–0 down to Leyton Orient. The Millers pegged the score back to 2–2, and secured promotion to the Championship as they won 4–3 after a penalty shoot-out.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27459498 |title=Leyton Orient 2–2 Rotherham |last=Maiden |first=Phil |date=25 May 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=23 December 2014 }} Despite helping his side to promotion, Brindley made just 16 League One appearances across the season, and 24 in all competitions.{{Soccerbase season|68123|2013|name=Richard Brindley|access-date=3 June 2015}}

Brindley made his first appearance in the Championship on 23 August 2014, when he came on as an 89th-minute substitute for Ben Pringle in Rotherham's 1–0 win over Millwall at The Den.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28815054 |title=Millwall 0–1 Rotherham |date=23 August 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} He was to make his final appearance for the club on 3 January 2015, following his loan spell at Scunthorpe United. The game saw Brindley score his first professional goal after 10 minutes of the FA Cup third round encounter with Bournemouth, but his side were to eventually lose 5–1 at home.{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30608632|title=Rotherham 1–5 Bournemouth |date=3 January 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=3 June 2015 }}

On 25 November 2014, Brindley made a return to League One, signing for Scunthorpe United on loan until January.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30194554 |title=Richard Brindley: Scunthorpe sign Rotherham full-back on loan |date=25 November 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} He made his debut on 13 December, starting in Scunthorpe's 2–1 home win over Crewe.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30357059 |title=Scunthorpe 2–1 Crewe |date=13 December 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=23 December 2014 }} He returned to Rotherham due to injuries after making just three appearances for Scunthorpe.{{cite news |last1=Crute |first1=Paul |date=31 December 2014 |title=Second Scunthorpe United loanee returns to parent club |url=http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Second-Scunthorpe-united-loanee-returns-parent/story-25787666-detail/story.html |newspaper=Scunthorpe Telegraph |location=Scunthorpe |accessdate=3 June 2015 }}

Brindley signed on loan for one month for League Two Oxford United on 29 January 2015, with a view to a permanent move.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31038873 |title=Richard Brindley: Rotherham defender joins Oxford on loan |date=29 January 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=29 January 2015 }} He played his first game for Oxford on 31 January as his side beat Stevenage 2–0.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30963275 |title=Stevenage 0–2 Oxford Utd |date=31 January 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} After the club brought in George Baldock on loan from MK Dons, Brindley returned to Rotherham after his short-term loan expired,{{cite news |last1=Pritchard |first1=David |date=12 February 2015 |title=Oxford United sign George Baldock on loan from MK Dons |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/11789471.Oxford_United_sign_George_Baldock_on_loan_from_MK_Dons/ |newspaper=Oxford Mail |location=Oxford |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} making just three appearances.{{Soccerbase season|68123|2014|name=Richard Brindley|access-date=3 June 2015}}

Colchester United signed Brindley on 26 March 2015 on loan until the end of the season, following Ipswich Town loanee Elliott Hewitt's recall.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=26 March 2015 |title=U's move quickly to sign Brindley |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/11883183.U_s_move_quickly_to_sign_Brindley/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |accessdate=26 March 2015 }} He revealed that he turned down other offers in order to join Colchester, and also revealed that his deal could later become permanent.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=31 March 2015 |title=Brindley refuses to rule out permanent U's switch |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/12534125.Brindley_refuses_to_rule_out_permanent_U_s_switch/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |accessdate=3 June 2015 }}

He made his debut on 3 April in Colchester's 2–1 win over Port Vale at Vale Park.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32081121 |title=Port Vale 1–2 Colchester |date=3 April 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} He made eight appearances for Colchester through to the end of the 2014–15 season.

Colchester United held talks with their former loanee Brindley in May 2015, following his release by Rotherham.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=8 May 2015 |title=U's hold talks with Brindley |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/12940399.U_s_hold_talks_with_Brindley/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |accessdate=3 June 2015 }} He then signed a two-year contract with Colchester on 2 June.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=2 June 2015 |title=Brindley agrees two-year deal with U's |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/13219088.Brindley_agrees_two_year_deal_with_U_s/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |accessdate=2 June 2015 }} He made his second debut on 8 August in Colchester's 2–2 home draw with Blackpool.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33744297 |title=Colchester 2–2 Blackpool |date=8 August 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=8 August 2015 }} He scored his first ever league goal on 25 March 2016 after being introduced as a second-half substitute for Elliot Lee during Colchester's win against Doncaster Rovers. His 87th-minute shot completed the scoring in a 4–1 victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35838999 |title=Colchester United 4–1 Doncaster Rovers |date=25 March 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=26 March 2016 }} He ended his first full season with the club with 25 appearances.{{Soccerbase season|68123|2015|name=Richard Brindley|access-date=8 July 2015}}

Under new manager John McGreal, Brindley became a regular in Colchester's starting eleven in the 2016–17 season, where he operated as a right wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation. Brindley said "Last season wasn't a great one for myself with injuries and managers coming in and out but this season has been brilliant for me, I feel I'm playing well and that's all I want to do".{{cite news |last=Waldron |first=Jonathan |date=3 January 2017 |title=Colchester United wing-back Richard Brindley believes they have everything in place to challenge for promotion |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/14999053._It_feels_like_everything_is_clicking_now____Brindley/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |accessdate=4 January 2017 }} He later said that wing-back had become his "best position".{{cite news |last=Plummer |first=Matt |date=14 April 2017 |title=Brindley says U's are brimming with confidence ahead of Doncaster showdown |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/15224155.Brindley_says_U_s_are_brimming_with_confidence_ahead_of_Doncaster_showdown/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |accessdate=14 April 2017 }} He scored his first goal of the season with a free kick in Colchester's 1–1 draw with Morecambe on 17 April 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39550099 |title=Morecambe 1–1 Colchester United |date=17 April 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=18 April 2017 }} He ended the season with 43 first-team appearances.{{soccerbase season|68123|2016|accessdate=7 May 2017}} He was offered a new contract at the end of the season, but opted to leave the club after refusing terms.{{cite news |date=30 June 2017 |title=Colchester United sign Gillingham's Ryan Jackson as Richard Brindley departs |url=http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/colchester-united-sign-gillingham-s-ryan-jackson-as-richard-brindley-departs-1-5086132 |newspaper=Green'Un |location=Ipswich |accessdate=30 June 2017 }}

On 10 July 2017, Brindley joined Colchester's League Two rivals Barnet on a free transfer.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40562367 |title=Richard Brindley: Former Colchester right-back joins Bees |date=10 July 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=10 July 2017 }} On 5 May 2018, Brindley scored his first goal for Barnet in a 3–0 win over Chesterfield in a game that saw Barnet relegated from the Football League.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43931742|title=Barnet 3-0 Chesterfield|publisher=BBC|date=5 May 2018|accessdate=5 May 2018}} He left the club by mutual consent on 7 July 2018.[https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2018/july/news--richard-brindley-departs-barnet-fc/ News | Richard Brindley departs Barnet FC]

On 25 September 2018, Brindley signed for Bromley, making his debut in a 2–1 victory away to Ebbsfleet United, playing the full 90 minutes.[http://www.bromleyfc.tv/site/brindley-added-to-squad/ Brindley added to squad] Brindley went on to score twice in 36 games before leaving at the end of the season.

On 5 September 2019, Brindley signed for Notts County.[https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/richard-brindley/ Richard Brindley - Defender - First Team] Brindley signed a new two-year contract in May 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/brindley-new-deal-270522/|title=New deal: Richard Brindley|website=www.nottscountyfc.co.uk|date=29 May 2022|accessdate=30 May 2022}} On 28 April 2024 Brindley left Notts County at end of contract.

On 8 July 2024, Brindley joined National League side Eastleigh.{{cite web|url=https://eastleighfc.com/2024/07/official-richard-brindley-joins-the-spitfires/|title=Official: Richard Brindley joins the Spitfires|website=eastleighfc.com|date=8 July 2024|accessdate=8 July 2024}}

{{updated|end of 2023–24 season}}

{{notelist}}

Notts County

• National League play-offs: 2023{{cite news |last=Aloia |first=Andrew |date=13 May 2023 |title=Chesterfield 2–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65521672 |access-date=15 May 2023}}

{{reflist}}

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{{Eastleigh F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brindley, Richard}}

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Norwich

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football fullbacks

Category:Norwich City F.C. players

Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players

Category:Chesterfield F.C. players

Category:Rotherham United F.C. players

Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players

Category:Oxford United F.C. players

Category:Colchester United F.C. players

Category:Barnet F.C. players

Category:Notts County F.C. players

Category:Eastleigh F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen