Richard Duffy

Richard Michael Duffy (born 30 August 1985) is a Welsh former professional footballer who is the player-manager at club Congleton Town.

He began his career at Swansea City, making his debut as a 16-year-old in December 2001, before winning a six-figure sum move to Premier League side Portsmouth in January 2004.

He never broke into the first team picture at Fratton Park, and instead enjoyed numerous loan moves at Burnley, Coventry City, and former club Swansea.

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.

However, a bout of spondylosis in his lower back kept him out injured for over a year.

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.

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 ).

He had forced through the move after rejecting Swansea's offer of a three-year contract, despite manager Brian Flynn's insistence that he would remain at Vetch Field.

Flynn also accused Portsmouth of trying to unsettle the youngster.

"'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.'"

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.

At the beginning of the 2004–05 season he was loaned out to Steve Cotterill's Burnley for four weeks.

He gained much admiration from the Burnley fans for his excellent performances, and the loan deal was extended into another month.

He scored in the "Clarets" 2–1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road.

The young Welshman spent some of his loan spell at Turf Moor playing as a right-winger.

A versatile player who can play either on the right or at the centre of defence, he won 13 caps for Wales between 2005 and 2008.

He is the younger brother of Robert Duffy.

He joined fellow Championship side Coventry City on a three-month loan in January 2005, becoming Micky Adams's first signing at Highfield Road.

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.

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."

On 10 January, a loan to former club Swansea City was agreed until the end of the 2006–07 season.

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 October 2006, he was loaned to Coventry for the third time, in a deal which was extended until 1 January 2007.

This followed the collapse of an expected loan move to Queens Park Rangers.

He played 13 games before returning to the South coast.

In March 2008, Duffy rejoined Coventry City for the fourth time on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season.

However, he tore a thigh muscle the following month, and was sidelined for the rest of the season.

He switched to Millwall in February 2009, before signing with Exeter City in July 2009.

He was told he was free to leave Portsmouth in January 2009, having started just the one game for "Pompey" in five years.

In February 2009, Duffy joined Kenny Jackett's Millwall on a contract until the end of the season.

He played 12 League One games for the "Lions", but was one of ten players released from The Den in May 2009.

In July 2009, Duffy signed for newly-promoted League One side Exeter City.

He made 44 appearances in the 2009–10 season, picking up a total of 12 yellow cards during the course of the campaign.

He joined Port Vale in July 2012, and helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13.

He stayed at the club for four years before joining Notts County via Eastleigh in June 2016.

He joined Kidsgrove Athletic in August 2019.

He began coaching at Congleton Town in May 2020 and was appointed as the club's manager 12 months later.