 He lost the captain's armband in the 2009–10 season, when new manager Micky Adams gave the armband to new signing Tommy Fraser, Richards being made vice-captain.However this did not seem to affect him in a negative way as he scored twice against Championship side Sheffield United to give Vale a shock 2–1 giant-killing victory in the League Cup First Round.With a winning goal over Darlington the following weekend he took his tally to four goals in five games.