 He scored 13 goals in 46 appearances in the 2016–17 season, and signed a new one-year contract in May 2017 after manager Justin Edinburgh described him as "a captain, a leader and someone who helps set the dressing room tone".However he lost his first-team place under new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and left the club by mutual consent on 15 January 2018.Following his release from Northampton on 15 January 2018, Richards joined League Two side Swindon Town on a one-and-half-year deal.