Is Frazer Richardson cursed?!

Some might think that 'Cursed' is a little over the top, or even bordering on the absurd. For Frazer Richardson was a good servant to Leeds United, playing his part in over 6 seasons for the club. Frazer made his league debut for The Whites during the 2003/04 season, the season Leeds lost their Premiership status and returned to England's second teir for the first time in 15 years. Nothing more than a coincidence you might think...

Despite Kevin Blackwell's insistence that there was only himself and Gary Kelly at the club for the our first season in The Championship, Frazer remained, presumably hiding away for fear of inflicting ill fortune on any new signings or passers by. That season saw something of a reprieve, despite making 41 first team appearances, Richardson's close proximity to Leeds United saw no ill effects and no further damage was evident to a once great club. Come 2006, Leeds had banished any suggestion of witchcraft or evil spirits by reaching the Play-off Final, Frazer himself scoring in the Semi-Final at Preston and Leeds were 90 minutes from a triumphant return to The Premiership...

Unfortunately 'Frazer's Demon' came back with a vengeance, obviously angry at its heretical subject's ability to shake off such destructive forces of evil whilst raising the spirits of thousands of football fans around the world. Leeds were thrashed 3-0 by a very average Watford side in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and offered up one of the worst performances in living memory. Not content with inflicting such devastation, Leeds were relegated the following season. Following a 10 point deduction, the Elland Road club finished at the basement of The Championship and were facing football in the 3rd tier of English football for the first time.

During the close season, Frazer rejected rumours of approaches from Wolves and Bolton, remaining with Leeds. One can only assume, that any transfer to another club would bring similar misfortune. A bullet dodged by his would-be suitors as The Whites lurched from one disaster to the next... Plunged into administration and on the brink of oblivion, the club were deducted a further 15 points for the start of the 2007/08 season.

As The Whites acclimatised to their new surroundings it soon became apparent that they were on the up once more, despite a 15 point deficit, the club reached another Play-off final... another Play-off final that ended in a crushing defeat, 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers at Wembley. As Frazer entered his final year of his association with Leeds United, it seemed almost impossible for anything to go wrong this time. Inevitably Gary McAllister was sacked before Christmas and another Leeds United season hung in the balance. Simon Grayson was then installed as the man to exorcise the demons surrounding the club and came close, very close. However, Leeds lost in another Play-off encounter, this time to the sub-human, inter-breeders of Milwall.

In the Summer of 2009, with his contract at Leeds United expired, Charlton Athletic unwittingly offered Frazer Richardson a chance to head their promotion charge as captain. All seemed well, The Addicks were  up with the leading clubs in League One all season and Frazer himself was even named in the 'Team of the Year'. Perhaps the curse wasn't Frazer afterall... maybe it was the legendary 'Gypsy Curse' of Elland Road that was to blame and Frazer had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Faced with another Play-off campaign with his new employers, surely this time it had to go his way. Having turned a 2-1 reverse from the first leg on its head, Charlton headed into extra-time with a Swindon team reduced to 10 men - Surely now was the time to put to bed any doubts Frazer may still have had about demonic possession. Charlton had a man sent off and Frazer himself smashed a blistering, long range effort against a post as the game headed for a penalty shoot-out. Despite converting an excellent penalty himself his new team finally succumb to 'Frazer's Demon', losing out 4-5 in the shootout. Another season ended in despair.

Meanwhile, without Frazer Richardson Leeds United gained promotion out of League One and reached the FA Cup 4th round, beating old foes Manchester United at Old Trafford on the way. A very successful season  now sees United preparing for a season in The Championship and beginning their ascent back to where they were before Frazer Richardson wore the famous white shirt.

Frazer has one year reaming on his deal with Charlton...

Frazer Richardson's career so far;
2004 - Relegation from The Premiership with Leeds
2005 - 14th place in The Championship
2006 - Defeat in Play-off Final
2007 - Relegation from The Championship
2008 - Defeat in Play-off Final
2009 - Defeat in Play-off Semi-Final
2010 - Defeat in Play-off Semi-Final with Charlton Athletic

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Is Frazer Richardson cursed?!