Leeds grassroots mourn Lincoln Richards as Micah Richards praised for resilience | OneFootball

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds’ grassroots community has paid tribute to Lincoln Richards, father of Micah Richards, after his death on Wednesday.

Micah learned the sudden news shortly before going on air as a BBC pundit for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina, working with Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney as Thomas Tuchel’s side lost 2-1 late on.

Lincoln, who moved from Basseterre to England in the 1960s, was a familiar figure in Chapeltown and co-ran Chapeltown Fforde Grene FC with friend Charlie Thomas.

Thomas said the farewell would draw a huge crowd and described Lincoln as inspiring and trustworthy. He added that Lincoln dreamed of running his own Sunday league club and installing floodlights at Bracken Edge.

Thomas, a friend of over 20 years, said Lincoln regularly sent barrels of clothes and kits to Basseterre, a tradition understood to be continued by his family. Lincoln also chaired Yorkshire Amateurs until 2017 and helped save the club from closure in 2012.

He helped run Chapeltown’s West Indian Carnival and was remembered for his humour and encouragement.

Micah, 38, who grew up in Chapeltown, has been praised for staying on Wednesday’s broadcast. He is expected to remain in the United States and will be part of the BBC punditry team for Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. On Instagram, he called his father his greatest supporter who had scarcely missed a game.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk