‘I just needed a chance’ – Taylor Richards determined to repay the faith at Doncaster Rovers

Instead, he has become of the most important figures in a Doncaster Rovers side pushing for promotion to the Championship as he displays the qualities that made him a million pound teenager.

The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder admits himself that his workrate has been questioned in the past. A Championship scout was quoted in The Athletic saying ‘He perhaps needs to work a bit harder.’

Richards wondered whether such labels would have an impact on his ability to secure a loan deal in order to prove himself worthy of a contract extension at Brighton, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

And so he is incredibly thankful to Darren Moore for giving him the opportunity at Rovers this season, and is determined to repay the faith.

“In my past, some people had said that I wasn’t doing enough or I had a bad attitude,” he told the Free Press.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t think I was going to get a loan at the start of the season.

“But Darren, the gaffer, he’s taken me here and he’s playing me so what more can I ask.

“Whenever I go on the pitch I try to do whatever I can to help and repay him for signing me.

“I feel like I always just needed a chance, for someone to take me in and have faith in me.

“The gaffer has done that and I’m forever thankful.”

Richards admits he was disappointed to miss out on the chance to start in the FA Cup at West Ham last weekend, and pit his wits against the likes of Tomas Soucek in midfield.

But he was determined to show he could handle the situation when coming off the bench in the second half.

He said: “I was disappointed but the gaffer picks the team.

“If he thinks we’re going a different way and I’m not starting, what can I do?

“He knows more than me in terms of the team he wants to select and what he wants to do.

“When I came on I just wanted to help the team like I do in every game.”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.