'There won't be a church big enough': Leeds grassroots football pays emotional tribute to Micah Richards' dad | OneFootball

Leeds’ grassroots football community has paid tribute following the death of Lincoln Richards, father of Micah Richards. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the Chapeltown stalwart was cherished across local football.

Micah was told of his father’s sudden passing shortly before going on air as a BBC pundit for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina. He was alongside Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney as Thomas Tuchel’s side lost 2-1 late on.

Born in Basseterre, Lincoln moved to England in the 1960s and later ran Sunday league side Chapeltown Fforde Grene FC with Charlie Thomas. He also helped run Yorkshire Amateurs, serving as chairman until 2017, and was key to saving the club from closure in 2012.

Thomas, who knew him for more than 20 years, said demand for his funeral would be huge and described a trusted friend who inspired him. He recalled Lincoln’s wish to run a Sunday league team and install floodlights at Bracken Edge.

Lincoln regularly sent barrels of clothes and football kits to his hometown, Basseterre, the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is understood his family will carry on the tradition after his death on Wednesday morning.

Despite the news, Micah is expected to remain in the United States and join the BBC’s punditry team for Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Viewers praised the 38-year-old for his composure on Wednesday’s broadcast. He called his father his greatest fan who scarcely missed a game.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk