Known as Mr Consistent around Fir Park as he became a reliable performer for the club since his arrival from Grimsby Town in June 2016.
Richard Tait proved to be a valuable asset as he showed tremendous versatility. Originally deployed as a right back in his debut season, he would eventually feature as a centre back, left back and latterly as a wing back featuring on either side of the pitch, his performances rarely waned despite the positional and responsibility changes.
Tait possessed a magnificent left and right foot and was able to flight in some delicious crosses, so much so that in season 2017/18 he finished the Scottish Premiership top assisting defender this of course was at the same time he helped the club achieve the fantastic feat of securing 20 clean sheets in a record breaking season for the side.
Richard made his Motherwell debut in a 0-2 reversal at the hands of Rangers in a League Cup tie in July 2016, he would score his first goal for the club in a league fixture against Ross County in a 4-1 victory in October 2016.
He filled in as captain on numerous occasions, the most notably was the Scottish Cup Semi Final win over Aberdeen in 2018 when the Steelmen secured a stunning 3-0 victory over the Dons at Hampden. However he had to settle for a runners up medal as the side crashed to defeat in the finals against Celtic. He had helped the club to a double domestic final that season but again he had to settle for a runners up medal.
His departure from the club left a bad taste in the mouth of many as he had stated in the national press that the club were trying to take advantage of the grave situation in-regards to Covid-19. Essentially in short the club and Richard had been negotiating over a new contract and he returned a signed contract that he had previously rejected. The club informed him that in the wake of a global pandemic and with the financial position being uncertain with the league being stopped the club were not in a position to sign off the contract. Club officials did state that they would review the situation at a later date but he would eventually reject new terms to sign for fellow Scottish Premiership outfit St Mirren.
Richard made 142 first team appearances for Motherwell, despite the curtain being brought down early on the 2019/20 season he helped the club to a 3rd place finish and helped secure a European spot.
Over in Paisley his efforts in his debut season helped the Buddies enjoy a fruitful season and it is perhaps viewed as one of their best in decades as they narrowly missed out on a top 6 finish but enjoyed runs in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup which would both end at the Semi Final stage, knocking Rangers out of the League Cup at Ibrox was perhaps a highlight for Tait.
Earlier in his career, the Scotsman had spent most of it plying his trade with clubs in England having represented Curzon Ashton, Nottingham Forest, Tamworth, Cambridge United and finally Grimsby Town before he arrived in Lanarkshire.
|
Name:
|
Richard Tait |
|
Height:
|
5′ 9″ |
|
Weight:
|
12st |
|
Date of Birth:
|
2nd December 1989 |
|
Place of Birth:
|
Galashiels |
|
Position:
|
Right Back |
|
Nationality:
|
Scottish |
Football Career:
| Curzon Ashton | 2007 | 2008 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2008 | 2009 |
| Tamworth (Loan) | 2009 | |
| Tamworth | 2009 | 2013 |
| Cambridge United | 2013 | 2015 |
| Grimsby Town | 2015 | 2016 |
| Motherwell | 2016 | 2020 |
| St Mirren | 2020 | – |
Well Career:
| Apps | Goals | |
|
League:
|
107 (4) | 3 |
|
Scottish Cup:
|
8 (1) | 0 |
|
League Cup:
|
22 | 2 |
|
Other:
|
0 | 0 |
|
Total:
|
137 (5) | 5 |