46-Year-Old Goalkeeping Coach Forced To Play, Holds Opponents Scoreless

Barry Richardson has enjoyed a long, meandering career as a goalkeeper across the English soccer pyramid. He played most of his career for Lincoln City and Northampton Town in the early and mid-90's, and hasn’t played a league game since 2002 or any game since 2005. Richardson signed on with League Two’s Wycombe Wanderers two years ago as their goalkeeping coach, and he’s quietly worked in that position, until today, when he played the final 75 minutes of Wycombe’s 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Keeper Alex Lynch was stretchered off in the 13th minute, and the club had just sold their other keeper to Queen’s Park Rangers, so Richardson was the only backup they had. He stopped a few shots, and helped prevent Plymouth from topping the table. This was the first league game where Plymouth did not score since October.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth assured BBC that Richardson’s promotion onto the field was very temporary:

“The game is all about opportunity, and what an opportunity Barry Richardson has had this afternoon. He is now the oldest player to play for Wycombe, and not only did he keep a clean sheet but I think he is the first to do so at Plymouth this season. I won’t be looking to start him next week though!

I say let him play, man.

h/t Tim

Photo via Getty