Richard Goodchild is a centre-half from the Potters Bar Centre of Excellence who spent three years as an Academy Scholar at Carrow Road. Norwich announced in March 2002 that none of their Third Year scholars would be offered a professional contract and so Richard wouldl need to seek a new club in the summer of 2002. Richard had already begun this process by trialling with Cambridge City and Stevenage in January 2002. In July 2002, the Non-League Paper reported that he was trialling with Ryman Leaguers Bishop's Stortford.

Richard eventually signed for Ryman League side Sawbridgeworth Town. After his release by the Canaries, Richard considered giving up football but his best friend Mark Watters convinced him to join Sawbridgeworth where Mark plays in midfield and whose father manages the side.