Richard Duffy

Duffy began his career at Swansea City, making his senior debut under Colin Addison as a 16-year-old on 8 December 2001, in a 4–1 defeat to Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose; he was a 64th-minute substitute for Michael Howard.[4] However a bout of spondylosis in his lower back kept him out injured for over a year.[5]

He returned to fitness at the start of the 2003–04 season, and soon won a regular place in the first team. He scored his first career goal in a 3–0 home win over Macclesfield on 16 September.[6] Despite only having played 18 Third Division games, the Wales youth international soon began to attract the attention of scouts from bigger clubs, and in January 2004 he was sold to Premier League side Portsmouth on a four-year contract for a six-figure sum (believed to be £300,000[7]).[8] He had forced through the move after rejecting Swansea's offer of a three-year contract,[9] despite manager Brian Flynn's insistence that he would remain at Vetch Field.[10] Flynn also accused Portsmouth of trying to unsettle the youngster.[11]

"The Swans have offered him a fresh deal but he hasn't signed anything and is entitled to speak to other clubs from 1 January. The club could take cash up front or gamble on getting more from the tribunal in terms of compensation because Richard is under the age of 24. Richard knows a move to Portsmouth would be a big lift for his full international prospects with Wales. Soccer can be a relatively short career – a bad injury has ended so many dreams too early. I'm telling Richard to be sensible, but also to make the most of any opportunities that come along."

— Duffy's agent, Wayne Elsey, was keen on the move to Portsmouth.[12]

Harry Redknapp handed Duffy his Premier League debut at Fratton Park on 1 May 2004, putting him on for Linvoy Primus 22 minutes into a 1–1 draw with Fulham.[13] At the beginning of the 2004–05 season he was loaned out to Steve Cotterill's Burnley for four weeks.[14] He gained much admiration from the Burnley fans for his excellent performances, and the loan deal was extended into another month.[15] He scored in the "Clarets" 2–1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road.[16] The young Welshman spent some of his loan spell at Turf Moor playing as a right-winger. He joined fellow Championship side Coventry City on a three-month loan in January 2005, becoming Micky Adams's first signing at Highfield Road.[17] He played 15 games for the "Sky Blues", helping the club to narrowly avoid relegation.

He spent the entirety of the 2005–06 season on loan at Coventry City.[18] He made 34 appearances at the club, helping Coventry to a respectable eighth-place finish. He was also handed a new contract with Portsmouth in March 2006, causing Coventry boss Micky Adams to snipe "I am sure it will be nice playing in their reserves."[19] In October 2006, he was loaned to Coventry for the third time, in a deal which was extended until 1 January 2007.[20] This followed the collapse of an expected loan move to Queens Park Rangers.[21] He played 13 games before returning to the South coast. On 10 January, a loan to former club Swansea City was agreed until the end of the 2006–07 season.[22] He featured in 11 League One games for the "Swans", falling somewhat out of favour after manager Kenny Jackett was replaced by Roberto Martínez.

In March 2008, Duffy rejoined Coventry City for the fourth time on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season.[23] However he tore a thigh muscle the following month, and was sidelined for the rest of the season.[24] He was told he was free to leave Portsmouth in January 2009, having started just the one game for "Pompey" in five years.[25]

In February 2009, Duffy joined Kenny Jackett's Millwall on a contract until the end of the season.[26] He played 12 League One games for the "Lions", but was one of ten players released from The Den in May 2009.[27]

In July 2009, Duffy signed for newly promoted League One side Exeter City.[28] He made 44 appearances in the 2009–10 season, picking up a total of 12 yellow cards during the course of the campaign. He made 50 appearances in 2010–11, and again helped Paul Tisdale's side to exceed expectations by finishing just three points outside the play-offs. Duffy signed a new one-year contract with the "Grecians" in May 2011.[29] Despite injury concerns, he remained a key player at St James Park in 2011–12, as he played 34 games; despite his efforts the club suffered relegation in 23rd place.

Duffy signed a two-year contract with League Two side Port Vale in July 2012; this move reunited him with former Coventry boss Micky Adams.[30] He admitted that having Micky Adams as his manager was the main reason he chose to come to Vale Park.[31] He replaced Adam Yates as Vale's preferred right-back at the start of the 2012–13 season, but struggled when he was tried out at centre-back in the League Trophy.[32] Vale were promoted at the end of the 2012–13 season, with Duffy putting in 39 appearances.

Duffy returned to the centre-half role alongside Chris Robertson in the 2013–14 season after Liam Chilvers was taken ill in mid-November.[33] He went on to finish the campaign with 30 appearances to his name, helping the club to a ninth-place finish in League One. He signed a new two-year contract in June 2014.[34]

He started the 2014–15 season in a centre-back partnership with Ryan McGivern.[35] He played a total of 29 games throughout the campaign. He started the 2015–16 season competing with Ryan Inniss and Remie Streete for one of two available centre-back places.[36] He impressed manager Rob Page, who praised his organisation skills and fitness levels.[37] His consistency meant that he went on to establish himself as the established centre-back alongside one of Inniss, Streete and McGivern.[38] In February he stated that he hoped to win a new contract in the summer and that he was "in a good place with my family. I'm settled here".[39]

On 27 May 2016, Duffy rejected a new contract at Port Vale and dropped down two divisions to sign a two-year contract with National League club Eastleigh; manager Chris Todd described him as "one of my top targets this summer".[40] However four weeks later he had his contract with Eastleigh cancelled so that he could sign a one-year contract with League Two club Notts County.[41] He made 47 appearances across the 2016–17 campaign.[42] In February 2017 he had an appearance-based contract extension clause removed from his contract so that he would be available for selection under new manager Kevin Nolan.[43] Later that month Nolan stated that "he's probably been our best player all season".[44] The next month was included in the EFL team of the week after making a "brilliant last-ditch block" to deny Wycombe Wanderers an equalising goal in a 1–0 win.[45]

On 6 February 2018, he played former club Swansea City in the FA Cup, which ended in an 8–1 defeat.[46] Nevertheless, he scored two goals in 43 league appearances to help the "Magpies" to qualify for the play-offs at the end of the 2017–18 campaign. He also filled in as captain during absences by Michael O'Connor and the Nottingham Post reported that he had an "outstanding season".[47] He was offered new contract by Notts County at the end of the 2017–18 season.[48] He missed three months at the start of the 2018–19 season with a hamstring injury.[49] Speaking in April, manager Neal Ardley stated that "he has been excellent [and] he has been part of the reason why we have looked solid at the back".[50] County were relegated at the end of the campaign, ending a 131-year stay in the Football League.[51] He was released by Notts County at the end of the 2018–19 season.[52]

On 21 August 2019, Duffy joined Northern Premier League Division One South East club Kidsgrove Athletic.[53] Manager Ryan Austin said that "he brings real quality to our squad as well as vast experience. We've been looking for a leader, and an organiser for a long time and, Rich fits that role perfectly".[54] The 2019–20 season was formally abandoned on 26 March, with all results from the season being expunged, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[55]

As of match played 14 March 2020