He went to Aylward School in Bush Hill Park, Enfield, where football was his main focus and he was invited to join the Spurs academy for younger players.  He spent five years at the club, but an injury denied him the opportunity to join the senior ranks at the club and he moved from one non-league club to another.  He served Enfield, St Margaretsbury, Leyton Pennant, East Thurrock United and Arlesey Town, before the fast forward signed for Braintree Town then Hayes, St. Albans City, back to Braintree before joining another of his previous clubs, Enfield in 2004.  Moved back to East Thurrock and then for Rymans Premier League side AFC Hornchurch in 2008.  On the move again, Jamie went across Essex to play for Harlow Town and in the summer of 2009, he found himself signing for Boreham Wood.

When he was released by Tottenham, Richards had to find a career to bring in some money and moved into the world of banking and then accounting in an insurance firm.  Was living with his parents in Edmonton, North London in 2002 and drove a Renault Clio.

 

Jamie Richards wanted to become a footballer. When he was at secondary school in north London he admits that life for him was "football, football, football". He did not give much thought to other, more academic, pursuits. The aspiring centre-forward was talented enough to be selected as an apprentice at Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent five years training and helping the senior players.   Jamie Richards wanted to become a footballer. When he was at secondary school in north London he admits that life for him was "football, football, football". He did not give much thought to other, more academic, pursuits. The aspiring centre-forward was talented enough to be selected as an apprentice at Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent five years training and helping the senior players.   But injury ended his dreams of turning professional, although he still plays semi-professionally for local teams. He has just signed a contract with St Albans, who play in the Rylands premier league, on an annual salary of about £3,600. He used to play with the lower division club, Leyton Pennant.   When he finished with Spurs he was at a bit of a loss about what to do with his life. "I looked at my GCSE results and saw that I'd done best in maths," he says. "It seemed logical to try to get into banking or accounting."   He worked at a local branch of NatWest for two years then Mr Richards moved to his present job as an accounts cashier for an insurance broker in the City of London.   He lives in Edmonton, north London, with his parents and brother and sister, contributing £80 a month to the housekeeping money. His train trip to work takes 30 minutes.   Mr Richards, who is 21, enjoys the flexibility of his job. "I'm contracted to work from nine to five, but I often have to work longer at busy times of the year." He is keen to move up the ladder and take on more responsibility. "I feel as if I've gone as far as I can in accounts and I have a few people in the firm for whom I'm responsible. What I would really like to do is get into the broking side of the business."   For this he would need to be selected by his employers to become a trainee. He is optimistic about this, since he used to work with someone who was chosen for this scheme.   But while he is aiming high he knows he needs to sort out his personal finances. A spread-betting habit got him into hot water a few years ago (although he has now quit). He owes £7,000 to the bank and £6,000 to his father. He is also still paying off his car, a Renault Clio, bought for £8,000 a few years ago.   Mr Richards wants to consolidate his debts and start saving properly. "I don't have much to put away at the end of the month, and that's what I need to change."   We put his case to Simon Farrant, head of specialist advisory services at Towry Law, Mark Loydall, director of Cambourne Financial Planning and Jennifer Storrow, managing director of Gee and Co   Name: Jamie Richards Age: 21 Status: Single Occupation: Accounts cashier at London insurance broker Education: Aylward School, north London Salary: £17,000 a year from work; £3,600 a year from playing semi-professional football Property: None. Living with parents in Edmonton, north London Motoring: Renault Clio