Richie Wellens

Born in Manchester, Wellens started his career at Manchester United, playing alongside the likes of Wes Brown and John O'Shea. His only first team appearance for the club was as a substitute in a 3–0 League Cup defeat to Aston Villa on 13 October 1999.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/villa-make-merry-with-uniteds-fledglings-742289.html |title=Villa make merry with United's fledglings |date=13 October 1999 |work=The Independent |access-date=25 October 2013}}

Frustrated at the lack of opportunities at Manchester United, he moved to Blackpool in March 2000.{{cite book|last1=Butler |first1=Cliff |last2=Ponting |first2=Ivan |title=Manchester United Official Yearbook 2000: The Definitive Guide to the 1999–2000 Season |page=[https://archive.org/details/manchesterunited0000unse/page/171 171] |publisher=Carlton Books |date=June 2000 |url=https://archive.org/details/manchesterunited0000unse |url-access=registration |isbn=978-0-2339978-3-4 |access-date=10 May 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/wellens.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010411040109/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/wellens.htm |archive-date=11 April 2001 |title=Richard Wellens − Squad Number 14 |website=BlackpoolFC.co.uk |publisher=Blackpool Football Club |access-date=10 May 2020}} Wellens became an instant first team regular at the club and before long he was a fan's favourite. While at the club he helped them win promotion via winning the 2001 Football League Third Division play-off final which he played in at the Millennium Stadium. He would return to win at the Cardiff stadium two more times with Blackpool, both with the Football League Trophy; first in 2002{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/seasiders-relish-return-to-scene-of-past-success-9148104.html|title=Seasiders relish return to scene of past success|publisher=Independent

|date=25 March 2002 |access-date=27 October 2018}} after scoring a crucial opening goal against Huddersfield Town in the first leg of the North Area Final, and again in 2004,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3517244.stm|title=Blackpool 2–0 Southend|publisher=BBC|date=21 March 2004 |access-date=27 October 2018}} the same season he was placed in the 2003–04 Football League Second Division PFA Team of the Year. He made 226 appearances with Blackpool before his move in 2005 to Oldham Athletic.

In 2005, he left Blackpool for his local side Oldham Athletic, with Scott Vernon going the other way.{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latics-snap-up-wellens-1072815 |title=Latics snap up Wellens |date=1 July 2005 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=Manchester Evening News}} This was done to bypass the 50% sell-on clause that Manchester United had added during Wellens' transfer to the Seasiders.{{cite book|last=Gillatt|first=Peter|title=Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year |publisher=Pitch Publishing Ltd|date=30 November 2009|isbn=978-1-905411-50-4}} In summer 2007, after turning down an improved contract offered by Oldham, he signed a two-year contract with fellow League One side Doncaster Rovers.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6271052.stm |title=Doncaster sign midfielder Wellens |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} Wellens made the 2004–05, 2006–07 and 2007–08 League One PFA Team of the Year. Overall, he made 101 appearances and scored 8 times for Oldham. Wellens has made the claim in an interview with The Sports Deck (LSM Publishing) that he was not paid during the final six months of his time at the club "I think by the time I was sacked by Oldham, I hadn't been paid for six months. I ended up getting it [payment] but I said I'll wait and make sure you pay the players that are due it. It was difficult but I do look back on it and it was a massive learning curve."{{Cite web |last=Moseley |first=Callum |date=2023-12-01 |title=Exclusive: Richie Wellens Makes Shocking Admission Regarding Oldham Athletic Exit |url=https://looksports.media/exclusive-richie-wellens-makes-shocking-admission-regarding-oldham-athletic-exit/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Look Sports Media |language=en-GB}}

Wellens was a member of the Doncaster side that gained promotion to the Championship in 2007–08. His midfield performances brought him several individual awards, several key goals and helped the team gain promotion. His first competitive goal for Doncaster was in August 2007 in the Football League Cup with the second strike in a 4–1 victory over Lincoln City; however, this wasn't the first time he had hit the back of the net for Doncaster: in his very first appearance in a Donny shirt, Wellens chipped the ball over the opposition goalkeeper and into the net from 40 yards in a pre-season friendly against non-league Retford United. Wellens made 97 appearances, scoring 10 times, during his spell with Doncaster prior to his £1 million move to Leicester City.

File:Wellens and Howard.png playing for Leicester City in June 2010]]

On 7 July 2009, Wellens joined Leicester City for a potential fee of £1.2 million, signing a three-year contract.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/8138636.stm |title=Foxes sign Wellens from Doncaster |date=8 July 2009 |access-date=24 January 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} Their biggest signing of the summer, Wellens was named by the BBC Sport as the club's key player for the 2009–10 season.{{cite web |title=Championship club-by-club guide |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8154723.stm#Leicester%20City |date=6 August 2009 |access-date=23 August 2009 |work=BBC Sport}} He made his debut in a 2–1 win over Swansea City on 8 August 2009,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8187734.stm |title=Leicester 2–1 Swansea |date=8 August 2009 |access-date=23 August 2009 |work=BBC Sport}} scoring his first goal in a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 2 May 2010.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8646480.stm |title=Leicester 2–0 Middlesbrough |date=2 May 2010 |access-date=2 May 2010 |work=BBC Sport}} Wellens featured in all but three matches for Leicester in the Championship that season. He played a crucial role in Nigel Pearson's team that reached the play-offs semi-finals, where they lost to Cardiff City on penalties.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8672579.stm |title=Cardiff 2-3 Leicester (agg 3-3): Cardiff advance to a Championship play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win |date=12 May 2010 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}

In his second season at the club, Wellens continued to play in midfield under the reign of both Paulo Sousa and Sven-Göran Eriksson. He was named Championship Player of the Month for January,{{cite web |url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~2290035,00.html |title=Wellens Wins Monthly Award |publisher=LCFC.com |date=11 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923223003/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~2290035%2C00.html |archive-date=23 September 2011 }} and won the club's player of the year award on 3 May 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13277857 |title=Richie Wellens wins Leicester City player of year award |date=4 May 2011 |access-date=4 May 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}

During the 2011–12 season, Wellens ended the season, back under the returning Nigel Pearson, with 46 appearances in all competitions and captaining the side 19 times, but his season ended early when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, ruling him out of action for six months.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17860492 |title=Leicester's Richie Wellens may be out for six months |date=26 April 2012 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} On 4 October, Wellens joined Ipswich Town a one-month loan deal,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19785790 |title=Ipswich sign Leicester midfielder Richie Wellens on loan |date=4 October 2012 |access-date=5 October 2012 |work=BBC Sport}} and returned to Leicester after an "impressive" seven game spell.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20295390 |title=Richie Wellens: Ipswich Town wait on Leicester City loan decision |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 23 July 2013, Wellens left Leicester City by mutual consent, having played a total of 149 games and scoring 6 goals over his four seasons with them.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23425990 |title=Richie Wellens: Leicester City agree to cancel deal |date=23 July 2013 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 2 August, Wellens signed a short-term contract with former club Doncaster Rovers.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23549878 |title=Richie Wellens: Doncaster sign ex-Leicester midfielder |date=2 August 2013 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} Having started five of Doncaster's first six games, Wellens extended his contract until January 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23937757 |title=Doncaster: Richie Wellens signs contract until January |date=2 September 2013 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}

At the end of the season, he expected to leave the club following a collapsed takeover of the club,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28444115 |title=Doncaster Rovers midfielder Richie Wellens expects to leave |date=23 July 2014 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} but signed a new two-year deal at the beginning of September.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29014836 |title=Richie Wellens signs new Doncaster Rovers deal |date=1 September 2014 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} He admitted later that it was a mistake rejoining the club "I think I was a little bit naive going in there in the first place. My head was telling me no but my heart was telling me yes"{{Cite web |last=Owner |first=Ryan Whelan- |date=2023-12-01 |title=Exclusive: Richie Wellens Addresses Doncaster Rovers Budget And Transfers In Upcoming Interview |url=https://thedeck.news/exclusive-richie-wellens-addresses-doncaster-rovers-budget-and-transfers-in-upcoming-interview/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Look Sports Media |language=en-GB}}

Wellens joined Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer in January 2016, signing an 18-month contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35255199 |title=Kyle Vassell and Richie Wellens sign for Shrewsbury Town |date=8 January 2016 |access-date=8 January 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} Having helped Shrewsbury to safety in League One, making twelve appearances in the second half of the 2015–16 season, he was made available on a free transfer less than five months later with manager Micky Mellon unable to guarantee him first-team football.{{cite web |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2016/05/27/shrewsbury-town-offer-richie-wellens-on-free-transfer/ |title=Shrewsbury Town offer Richie Wellens on a free transfer |work=Shropshire Star |date=27 May 2016 |access-date=27 May 2016}} He left in August after having game time limited.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11719/10549864/midfielder-richie-wellens-has-left-shrewsbury-town-by-mutual-consent |title=Midfielder Richie Wellens has left Shrewsbury Town by mutual consent |date=24 August 2016 |access-date=8 January 2016 |work=Sky Sports}}

In September 2016, Wellens signed for National League North side Salford City.{{Cite web|url=https://nonleague.pitchero.com/uncategorized/salford-snap-up-experienced-wellens-49504/|title=Salford Snap Up Experienced Wellens|date=2 September 2016}} He left the club in October.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/salfordcityfc/news/two-in-three-out-1714348.html|title=Club not live|website=pitchero.com}}

Wellens signed for National League team Macclesfield Town in November.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38157038 |title=Richie Wellens: Macclesfield Town sign ex-Man Utd and Leicester midfielder |date=30 November 2016 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 4 July 2017, Wellens returned to Oldham Athletic as a first-team coach.{{cite web |last=Chambers |first=Matthew |url=https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/104308/coaching-role-for-wellens-at-latics |title=Coaching role for Wellens at Latics |date=3 July 2007 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=Oldham Chronicle}} Following the departure of John Sheridan on 25 September, Wellens was put in charge of Oldham Athletic on an caretaker basis, with his first game in charge being a 3–2 win against Peterborough United.{{cite web |last1=Chambers |first1=Matthew |last2=Jepson |first2=Anthony |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/oldham-athletic-news-wellens-sheridan-13680768 |title=Oldham Athletic boss Richie Wellens opens up about John Sheridan departure |date=27 September 2017 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=Manchester Evening News}} Wellens said he was ready to be a manager, and hoped he and the club could adopt an approach for long-term success.{{cite web |last=Stanger |first=Matt |url=https://thesetpieces.com/interviews/interview-oldham-caretaker-richie-wellens/ |title=Interview with Oldham caretaker Richie Wellens |date=4 October 2017 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=The Set Pieces}} After a five-match unbeaten run, he was appointed manager on a permanent basis on 18 October 2017 on a two-year contract, following a recommendation from Paul Scholes.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41636517 |title=Richie Wellens: Oldham Athletic appoint caretaker boss as full-time manager |date=18 October 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017 |work=BBC Sport}} He was dismissed on 8 June 2018 after Oldham's relegation to League Two.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42851798 |title=Richie Wellens: Oldham Athletic sack manager after relegation from League One |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=8 June 2018 |work=BBC Sport}} Wellens admitted it was "the right time" to part ways,{{cite web |last=Keay |first=Sheldan |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/oldham-athletic-richie-wellens-latics-14835937 |title=Richie Wellens says it was probably the right time to part ways with Oldham Athleic |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=Manchester Evening News}} and admitted he had made mistakes that he hoped to learn from for a future managerial role.{{cite web |last=Wellens |first=Richie |url=https://www.coachesvoice.com/best-laid-plans-oldham-wellens/ |title=Richie Wellens says it was probably the right time to part ways with Oldham Athleic |date=29 June 2018 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=The Coaches' Voice}}

On 13 November 2018, Wellens was appointed manager of League Two side Swindon Town following the sacking of Phil Brown.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46182174 |title=Swindon Town appoint ex-Oldham Athletic boss as manager |date=13 November 2018 |access-date=17 November 2018 |work=BBC Sport}} His first game in charge was a 4–0 home defeat to Carlisle United, described as "the worst possible start".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46160771 |title=Swindon Town 0-4 Carlisle United: New Swindon manager Richie Wellens suffers a heavy defeat in his first game as Carlisle win at the County Ground |date=17 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} Wellens secured his first win as manager a week later, with a goal from Elijah Adebayo giving his side a 1–0 away win to Port Vale,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46244278 |title=Port Vale 0-1 Swindon Town: Elijah Adebayo's first-half strike earns Richie Wellens his first win as Swindon manager after victory at Port Vale |date=24 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} and his first home victory came three days later, when academy graduate Sol Pryce scored twice on his league début to help Swindon win 3–2 against Stevenage.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46270888 |title=Swindon Town 3-2 Stevenage: Academy graduate Sol Pryce enjoys a dream league debut with a brace as Swindon beat Stevenage 3-2 at the County Ground |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} Wellens would guide Swindon to a 13th-place finish, ending the season with a 3–1 comeback victory against Notts County, who were relegated out of the Football League for the first time in their 157-year history as a result.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48074982 |title=Swindon Town 3-1 Notts County: Magpies relegated to National League |date=4 May 2019 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}

In the 2019–20 season, Wellens won the League Two title with Swindon Town on PPG during the global COVID-19 pandemic after the season was called off in March.

On 4 November 2020, Wellens was appointed as the new manager of his former club Salford City, now playing in League Two.{{cite web |last=Lanceley |first=Matthew |url=http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2020/11/04/richie-wellens-appointed-salford-city-manager/ |title=Richie Wellens appointed Salford City manager |date=4 November 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=Salford Now}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/11476/salford-city-appoint-richie-wellens-as-new-manager/ |title=Salford City appoint Richie Wellens as new manager |date=4 November 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=The Football League Paper}} The first game of Wellens' reign came on 7 November, with a 2–0 win against Hartlepool in the FA Cup first round at Moor Lane, courtesy of goals from Bruno Andrade and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe in extra-time.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54840096 |title=Salford City 2-0 Hartlepool United (aet): New boss Richie Wellens starts with a win as Salford need extra-time to beat non-league Hartlepool in the FA Cup first round |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} Wellens suffered his first loss as Salford manager in his first league game in charge, a 2–0 loss against Bolton Wanderers the following week.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54835447 |title=Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Salford City: Richie Wellens suffers a first defeat as Salford manager as his former striker Eoin Doyle sets Bolton on the way to a 2-0 win |date=13 November 2020 |access-date=13 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/bolton-vs-salford-city/430389 |title=Bolton 2-0 Salford: Richie Wellens suffers first defeat as Salford boss |date=13 November 2020 |access-date=13 November 2020 |work=Sky Sports}} His first league win came on 21 November against Bradford City, a 3–0 league victory with two goals from Luke Burgess and another from Ian Henderson.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54941090 |title=Salford City 3-0 Bradford City: Salford produce a sparkling first-half performance to beat Bradford thanks to two goals from Luke Burgess on his first league start |date=21 November 2020 |access-date=21 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} On 13 March 2021, Wellens guided Salford to victory in the delayed 2020 EFL Trophy Final, with a 4–2 penalty shootout victory after a 0–0 draw with Portsmouth. On 22 March 2021, it was announced that he and the club had parted company by mutual consent.

On 17 May 2021, Wellens was appointed manager of League One club Doncaster Rovers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57142564|title=Richie Wellens: Doncaster Rovers appoint former Salford City boss as new manager|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2021|accessdate=2 December 2021}} On 2 December 2021, Wellens was sacked by Doncaster after just 199 days in charge with the club sitting 23rd in the table with the club having picked up just thirteen points from nineteen matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2021/december/rovers-part-company-with-richie-wellens/|title=Doncaster Rovers part company with Richie Wellens|website=doncasterroversfc.co.uk|date=2 December 2021|accessdate=2 December 2021}}

On 9 March 2022, Wellens was appointed head coach of the historic East London League Two club Leyton Orient on a two-and-a-half-year deal. At the time of his appointment, Orient were sitting in 20th position, four points clear of safety with eleven matches remaining.{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/2022/03/09/richie-wellens-appointed-as-head-coach/|title=Richie Wellens appointed as Head Coach|website=leytonorient.com|date=9 March 2022}}

An unbeaten start to the 2022–23 season saw Wellens win the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award for August 2022, his side sitting top of the league with the most goals scored and fewest conceded.{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2022/september/12/richie-wellens-wins-skybet-league-two-manager-of-the-month/|title=Richie Wellens wins SkyBet League Two Manager of the Month|website=leytonorient.com|date=12 September 2022|accessdate=15 September 2022}} A 100% record across September saw Wellens win the award for the second consecutive month.{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2022/october/07/wellens-scoops-managerial-award-for-september/|title=Wellens scoops managerial award for September|website=leytonorient.com|date=7 October 2022|accessdate=7 October 2022}} Wellens steered the club to promotion at the top of EFL League Two, which it achieved on 18 April 2023.{{Cite news |title=Leyton Orient promoted despite Gillingham defeat |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65236266 |access-date=19 April 2023}}

Having guided the club to ten points from four matches, including successive wins over the top two, Wellens was awarded the EFL League One Manager of the Month award for January 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2024/february/09/richie-wellens-wins-january-sky-bet-league-one-manager-of-the-month/|title=Richie Wellens wins January Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month|website=www.leytonorient.com|date=9 February 2024|accessdate=9 February 2024}} At the end of the 2023–24 season, Wellens signed a new three-year contract with the club after guiding the club to an 11th place finish in League One.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp4gn50l80yo |title=Orient boss Wellens signs new three-year deal |website=BBC Sport |date=1 May 2024 |access-date=1 May 2024}}

Following a stellar run of form to end the calendar year, Wellens was awarded Manager of the Month for a second time for December 2024 having led his team to sixteen points from six matches without conceding a goal. {{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/january/10/sky-bet-league-one--manager-and-player-of-the-month-december-winners/|title=Sky Bet League One: Manager and Player of the Month December Winners|website=www.efl.com|date=10 January 2025|accessdate=10 January 2025}} With the good form continuing into the new year, he received the award for a second consecutive month after thirteen points from five matches. {{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/february/07/sky-bet-league-one-manager---player-of-the-month-january-winners/|title=Sky Bet League One Manager & Player of the Month January winners|website=www.efl.com|date=7 February 2025|accessdate=7 February 2025}}

Wellens favours his teams to play attacking football, believing long ball and defensive minded football to not be suitable to long-term success.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=Ben |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2019/sep/11/richie-wellens-swindon-town-sir-alex-ferguson |title=Richie Wellens driven by Alex Ferguson's influence as Swindon soar |date=11 September 2019 |access-date=5 December 2020 |work=The Guardian}} He cites former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson as a major influence on his approach. Using a preferred formation of 4-2-3-1,{{cite web |last=Thorpe |first=Chris |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-importance-of-swindon-town-recruit-to-richie-wellens-opinion/ |title=The importance of Swindon Town recruit to Richie Wellens |date=5 September 2019 |access-date=5 December 2020 |work=Football League World}} Wellens likes his teams to play out from the back and be patient,{{cite web |last=Bate |first=Adam |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11902490/richie-wellens-interview-on-taking-swindon-top-by-playing-football |title=Richie Wellens interview: On taking Swindon top by playing football |date=8 January 2020 |access-date=5 December 2020 |work=Sky Sports}} Wellens likes his player to maintain a high level of intensity, even during training sessions.{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Shaun |url=https://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/headlines/17942156.richie-wellens-underlines-importance-hard-work-swindon-town-squad-number-sub-standard-gps-tracker-results-filed/ |title=Richie Wellens underlines importance of hard work to Swindon Town squad after a number of sub-standard GPS tracker results are filed |date=3 October 2019 |access-date=5 December 2020 |work=This Is Wiltshire}}

Wellens is season ticket holder at Manchester United.

Wellens' son, Charlie, is also a footballer who is currently contracted to Reading.{{cite web |title=FOUR NEW RECRUITS SIGN UP TO ONE-YEAR DEALS WITH OUR UNDER-21S |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/01/four-new-recruits-sign-up-to-one-year-deals-with-our-under-21s/ |website=readingfc.co.uk/ |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=1 September 2023 |date=1 September 2023}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 21 April 2025}}

Blackpool

• Football League Third Division play-offs: 2001
• Football League Trophy: 2001–02,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1885124.stm |title=Blackpool lift LDV Vans Trophy |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |website=BBC Sport |date=24 March 2002 |access-date=18 March 2024}} 2003–04{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3517244.stm |title=Blackpool 2–0 Southend |website=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2004 |access-date=17 March 2024}}

Doncaster Rovers

• Football League One play-offs: 2008

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2003–04 Second Division, 2006–07 League One, 2007–08 League One
• Doncaster Rovers Player of the Year: 2007–08
• Football League Championship Player of the Month: January 2011
• Leicester City Player of the Year: 2010–11{{Cite book|author=Dave Smith & Paul Taylor|title=Of Fossils and Foxes|year=2010|publisher=Pitch |isbn=978-1-905411-94-8}}

Swindon Town

• EFL League Two: 2019–20{{Cite web |date=9 June 2020 |title=League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124 |access-date=4 January 2021 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Salford City

• EFL Trophy: 2019–20{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56320947 |title=Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City |first=Adam |last=Williams |website=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2021 |access-date=14 March 2021}}

Leyton Orient

• EFL League Two: 2022–23{{Cite web |date=22 April 2023 |title=Leyton Orient 2-0 Crewe: Richie Wellens' side seal League Two title |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/leyton-orient-vs-crewe-alexandra/report/468899 |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=Sky Sports}}

Individual

• EFL League Two Manager of the Season: 2022–23{{Cite web |date=23 April 2023 |title=Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and Middlesbrough's Chuba Akpom lead Championship winners at 2023 EFL Awards |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12864637/burnley-boss-vincent-kompany-and-middlesbroughs-chuba-akpom-lead-championship-winners-at-2023-efl-awards |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=Sky Sports}}
• EFL League One Manager of the Month: January 2024, December 2024, January 2025
• EFL League Two Manager of the Month: November 2019,{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/december/sky-bet-league-one-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners2/ |title=Sky Bet League Two: Manager and Player of the Month winners |publisher=EFL |date=13 December 2019 |access-date=4 October 2022}} August 2022, September 2022

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• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Leyton Orient F.C. squad}}

{{EFL League One managers}}

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{{2003–04 Football League Second Division Team of the Year}}

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{{2022–23 EFL League Two Team of the Season}}

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{{Leicester City F.C. Player of the Year}}

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{{Oldham Athletic A.F.C. managers}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wellens, Richie}}

Category:1980 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Manchester

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Manchester United F.C. players

Category:Blackpool F.C. players

Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players

Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players

Category:Leicester City F.C. players

Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players

Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players

Category:Salford City F.C. players

Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:English football managers

Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. managers

Category:Swindon Town F.C. managers

Category:Salford City F.C. managers

Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. managers

Category:Leyton Orient F.C. managers

Category:English Football League managers

Category:English football coaches

Category:21st-century English sportsmen