The popular 26-year-old central defender has been voted the Club’s Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons, and he takes over the armband from Sylvain Distin.
Speaking exclusively to mcfc.co.uk, manager Stuart Pearce says that he discussed the captaincy with Distin at the end of last season.
“This will allow Sylvain to concentrate more on playing. I spoke to him at the end of last season, it was a decision that we both agreed to. It’s not a snub to Sylvain in any way, shape or form, he did an extremely good job captaining the side.
“I just feel that Richard has got a maturity now, and there’s a feeling in my bones that giving him this extra responsibility will take him onto another level.”
Richard’s outstanding form over the last two years made it an easy decision for the Manager to offer him the captaincy.
“It was almost impossible for me not to give him the captaincy, because he has come so far of late. Richard’s settled down, he has a lovely girlfriend and a new baby, and he’s a model professional both on and off the pitch.
“Since I have been at the Club, his professionalism and ability have improved and the respect for him in the dressing room is immense. I just felt it was the right time to make that change.
“As a Manager you sometimes do things with a gut feeling, and I have a gut feeling that Richard will wear that armband with pride, and it will take him up to the next level as a player as well.”
Richard has shared his delight exclusively with mcfc.co.uk.
“It’s an honour, there are some really great players in the team, players with experience and ones that have done much more than me so I am really pleased to be asked to be captain.
“Some great names have captained City down the years, and even in my time here as well. In the dressing room right now there are the likes of Cole, Hamann, Jamo and Dickov who could all do it so to be asked is a real honour for me.”
The captaincy caps a great few months for Richard, who became a father for the first time just before the end of last season.
“When you become a father you grow up straight away, and this added responsibility from the Manager is something that I appreciate and I am really looking forward to taking on.”
