The former Man United star reveals the classy gesture from Sir Alex Ferguson that earned him a life-changing bonus at the age of 18.
Sir Alex Ferguson once gave Kieran Richardson his debut to award him a £12,000 winner's bonus.
The young midfielder was a young and talented player with manchester united and had the opportunity to be part of the first team on his 18th birthday when the Red Devils faced Olympiacos in the Champions League in October 2002.
While today's teenagers boast lucrative contracts worth tens of thousands of pounds, the early 2000s were a time when Richardson and any other talented youngster would have to prove themselves before earning much. money.
But in telling the brilliant story of Ferguson's generosity, Richardson revealed how the notoriously stern Man United legend changed his life in the space of two minutes.
Speaking on the Broadtalks podcast, Richardson said: “I've never signed a professional contract until late.
“I remember I first went into YTS (Youth Training Programme) when I was 16 or 17 and I was earning like £90 a week and the next year I doubled it and United wanted to give me a professional contract.
“I never wanted to sign it because my father and I always thought that I didn't want to be a professional until I was worthy of being one; He wasn't a regular in the first team or anything like that.
“It's strange how I used to think and all my other teammates hired their pros before me and it was strange because they were making £1,000 or £2,000 a week and I was making like £180 a week.
“I remember it, I will never forget it, it was my 18th birthday and I was on the bench in the Champions League and the coach – Sir Alex Ferguson – knows I'm the guy who hasn't signed a professional.
“I swear, it was extra time with two minutes left and he said, 'Kieran, go out on the field now, no warm-up, referee, do it now, turn it up' because Fergie knew the bonuses United were getting for winning the game.
“At the time I think we would earn £12,000 per win and I'm the guy earning £180 a week.
“I was like 'shit, fast forward' and I put my clothes on and when I walked past him to get onto the pitch he said 'happy birthday son' – bang, £12,000. Sick.
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“I remember that month when it came and my salary had been so bad and I saw £12,000, a Champions League bonus and I thought, 'take me to the Trafford Center and I'll buy some jeans and trainers.'
“Then I was in the locker room and I thought, 'Wow, there's a lot of money coming in.' It was a great experience. nice Touch, what a good guy.”
After a highly successful loan spell with West Brom, Richardson made 81 appearances for Manchester United before leaving the club for SunderlandEdit in 2007.
During his time at Old Trafford he also won eight caps for the senior England team and scored two goals.
