Richards tribute at Wolves match

Last updated : 05 March 2011 By BBC Sport

A special tribute will be paid to former defender Dean Richards before two of his old clubs Wolves and Spurs meet in the Premier League on Sunday.Richards, who died a week ago aged 36 after a long battle with illness, also played for Bradford and Southampton.

His widow Samantha and their children Rio and Jaden are due to attend the game at Molineux, starting at 1600 GMT.

Representatives of all his four former clubs will hold their shirts aloft on the pitch before a minute's applause.

"These shirts are to be signed by members of the current squads and will then be auctioned off in aid of St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds where Dean passed away," said a Wolves spokesman.

Former Wolves players Matt Murray and Don Goodman, current Spurs defender Ledley King, and ex-England manager Graham Taylor are expected to attend the tribute.

Others set to be at Molineux are former Southampton boss Dave Jones, ex-Saints striker James Beattie and Bradford joint-chairman Mark Lawn.

Both sets of players will wear black armbands and there will be tributes from former team-mates and friends in the matchday programme.

"The club have aimed to come up with a fitting tribute which is both simple and respectful in honouring Dean's memory in accordance with the family's wishes," added the spokesman.

"Supporters have also been suggesting their own ideas and, as was seen against Blackpool last weekend, any such spontaneous tributes will, of course, be welcomed."

Premier League stars joined hundreds of mourners on Friday at the funeral of Richards in his home city of Bradford.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport