West Brom fans have delivered mainly split reactions on Twitter after it was revealed Kieran Richardson was training with the club again.
The 33-year-old defender has been training with the Baggies in order to regain fitness and break into the game again, and has not played a competitive game of football since being released by Cardiff City in 2016 – but he did manage 45 minutes for West Brom in a pre-season friendly against Barnet on Sunday (8 July).
Free agents Kieran Richardson and Martin Cranie, who have trained with the Club this week, will start for Darren Moore's side as they look to improve their fitness…#WBA pic.twitter.com/li5GgwsTy7
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 7, 2018
This was met with split responses from the West Brom faithful, who hailed Richardson as a hero back in 2005 when he was part of the club’s ‘Great Escape’. These comments included “we’re no longer in 2005” and “his best days are well and truly behind him.”
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets from West Brom fans:
Be good to see Kieran Richardson in a West Bromwich Albion shirt again! #WBA https://t.co/DHIuWHySe9
— Sunny Randhawa (@SunnyRandhawa) July 7, 2018
I’d have loved Richardson at @WBA a few years back but at 33 (or something), I think his best days are well & truly behind him. Still a very fond of member of Albions Great Escape though! ????
— West Brom Bloke ©????????????? (@BaggieBaker69) July 7, 2018
— Howie Painter (@hrp6) July 7, 2018
Sign them up
— Gemma Snead (@heathensgem) July 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/GungaWBA/status/1015556175876841472
https://twitter.com/Bxrke_/status/1015556542433775616
https://twitter.com/xGibsonn180/status/1015555505387982848
https://twitter.com/sideboard_billy/status/1015555560555630592
OPINION
The news that Kieran Richardson has been training with West Brom again has clearly left the fans divided as to whether they would still want him at the club. However, at 33-years-old, Richardson is most likely past his best as stated by a fan, but will always be remembered for his part in the club’s ‘great escape’ in 2005. He was a talented, established right-back in his day – and for the section of supporters saying the club should sign him up, he is not going to be as fresh as he was back then. Luckily for the majority, he is only training there to get his fitness back – and they should not be worried about their club signing him.