Richard passed away on 10th April after struggling for over six years with colorectal cancer.

Here are a few of the tributes from his friends and colleagues:

- Wonderful colleague. Easy to work with and an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things, but especially non league football!

- An exceptional person. Smart, sharply passionate, real and brave. His refusal to give in to his condition over recent years has been inspirational.

- We are very lucky to have had him with us over these decades.

- He was a man of total principle, unassuming and unswerving.

- Such a lovely person but so smart too. I loved his sense of humour

- Richard's natural and genuine modesty only increased the respect and affection in which he was held by colleagues.

- Always considerate, Richard had many friends across the political spectrum but he will be especially missed by those of us on the Labour benches who were proud to serve alongside him.

- I will miss him more than words can say.