Brothers in arms: The footballing siblings who live, play and also got red-carded together
Two of Napier City Rovers’ more colourful characters are also brothers; Ethan and Kieran Richards. Ethan talked to Neil Reid about their staunch bond.
Ethan Richards doesn’t mince his words when describing what some of teammates think of his and his brother’s off-field banter.
The 20-year-old and his 24-year-old brother, Kieran, signed for Napier City Rovers for the 2024 season; with the pair making a positive impact to the squad both on and off the pitch.
That includes during their run to qualification for New Zealand Football’s National League, where they will host Christchurch club Cashmere Technical FC in sixth-round action at Bluewater Stadium on Saturday.
Just as the duo have made their presence felt in action for the Bill Robertson-coached team, the brothers are also usually not far from the laughter around the team’s dressing room or in minivans on away-game road trips.
The Richards’ bond is multi-layered – including sharing a unit at Kennedy Park Resort – with Ethan saying one of the things he loved the most about his relationship with Kieran was a joint sense of humour.
He added that some of their teammates might not always see it that way.
“A lot of the players will say that we’re utter idiots, which is fair enough ... we are,” he said.
“We’re weirdos.
“But having that connection with him, through humour is the best part. It’s never a dull day in the Richards household with him.”
The Richards are one of three sets of brothers who have played for Napier City Rovers in 2024; also including the Hoyles and the Lacks.
A strong sense of brotherhood and commitment to each other goes right throughout the team – with that commitment on show during their dramatic 4-2 win against Wellington side Western Suburbs last Sunday in round five National League action.
English striker Jordan Annear was the man of the match. And that wasn’t just a reward for his two first-half goals.
Annear also went into goal for Napier City Rovers after goalkeeper William Tonning was sent off with 38 minutes remaining. He then displayed some heroics between the posts, pulling off a succession of saves that not only kept his side in front but also ensured they didn’t lose the crucial clash.
The bond between the Richards is unmistakable, with Ethan saying the pair were hugely protective of each other.
“100% ... that’s how brothers should be,” he said.
“We’re quite protective of each other. It’s always nice to know that you’re cared for; he will always have my back, same as I’ll have his.
“I don’t want to boost his ego, I don’t know if it’s wise, but he’s knowledgable,” Ethan added with a smile.
“He can be very helpful in day-to-day life, with both small and big problems and issues.”
The fact both are playing together – and now in the National League, the highest level of domestic football in New Zealand – is a sense of great pride to the brothers and their family.
Ethan said they had a positive relationship to linking with Napier City Rovers.
But moving to Napier had firmly cemented their bond.
“This year we’ve got even closer, more than I expected,” he said.
“I mean, we’re brothers, so we have our moments. We do get at each other, but the majority of the time, it is a very good relationship. And I think we’ve both benefited from living and being here together.
“I feel like if I wasn’t here with him, I might not still be here. You go through tough times together and having each other has been the best thing for myself. And I think me being here has been the best thing for him.”
The living arrangements and dressing room aren’t the only things the Richards have shared since signing with Napier City Rovers for 2024.
They both ended their league debut for the club in identical fashion; being red-carded in the dying moments of the side’s Central League-opening 3-0 loss to Wellington Olympic.
Ethan was sent off 23 minutes after coming on from the reserves bench, after receiving two quick-fire yellow cards.
Kieran had been shown a yellow card in the 13th minute, then was given a second yellow card for verbally abusing referee Mark Rule. He was later given a five-game suspension for what he said.
Ethan said he was “disappointed” in both himself and his brother.
“I was hoping [Kieran] wouldn’t get sent off as well because he’s a such great player and he missed out a lot of games because of it,” he said.
“There was a lot of sadness and I felt bad for both the players, coaching staff and also the supporters. They want us to be on the pitch and play well and, yeah, we kind of screwed it up.”
Both were spoken to by Robertson in the aftermath and told what was expected of them, and their teammates, discipline-wise.
Ethan hasn’t been carded since.
“I obviously try to play my best, do my best and try not to give any cards away,” he said.
Away from football, the pair are both employed as teacher aides.
Ethan works at Napier Boys’ High School and said he found it “rewarding” helping students do well in the classroom.
“It’s very beneficial,” he said.
“It’s lovely to see ... kids ... put in the effort and want to do better. That part is really rewarding.”
The Richards brothers were readily made to feel at home after relocating to Napier.
Ethan said given the nature of the club, and the lifestyle he is living in Hawke’s Bay, he wanted to suit up for Napier City Rovers again in 2025.
“I want to stay here at Rovers, it’s a great club,” he said.
“They make you feel loved and welcomed here, so I definitely do want to stay here. If I’m in New Zealand, this is the club I want to be at.”
Watch the Inside the Rovers video series:
Episode One: Back to Work
Episode Two: The Darkest Days
Episode Three: Skin Deep
Episode Four: Good as Gould
Episode Five: The Hard Yards
Episode Six: Leaving a Legacy
Episode Seven: Fun and Games
Episode Eight: Game Day
Episode Nine: The Great Dane
Episode 10: Back to Back
Episode 11: Long Road Back
Episode 12: Total Commitment
Episode 13: The Bravest Boy
Episode 14: Love of the Game
Episode 15: A Rapid Rise
Episode 16: Mixed Emotions
Episode 17: Cup Fever
Episode 18: 50-Year Love Affair
Episode 19: The Music Man
Episode 20: Sammy’s On Fire
Episode 21: A Burning Desire
Episode 22: Cup Heroics
Episode 23: The Captain
Episode 24: On The Road
Episode 25: A Heartbreaker
Episode 26: Oscar’s Big Chance
Episode 27: Fabulous Ferg
Episode 28: Bill and Ben’s Big Day
Episode 29: Better Than Before
Episode 30: The Ice Man
Episode 31: Sharp-shooter’s Return
Episode 32: Statement of Intent
Episode 33: Fronting Up
Episode 34: Video Nasty
Episode 35: To the Max
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 30 years of newsroom experience.
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