Richard Smallwood

Richard Smallwood (born 29 December 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers. Born in Redcar, he signed his first professional deal with local side Middlesbrough in 2009. He was sent out on loan to Rotherham United in 2014 where he scored the winning penalty in the 2014 League One play-off final. Smallwood signed permanently for Rotherham in 2014, where he would win the club's Player of the Year award in his first full season. After a loan spell with Scunthorpe United, he signed for recently relegated League One club Blackburn Rovers in 2017. He was an ever-present for Blackburn in his first season as the club were promoted back to the Championship. Smallwood left Blackburn in 2020 for Hull City where he would win the League One title in his first season. After two seasons with Hull, Smallwood moved to League Two club Bradford City where he was named as captain. In his third season with the club, he played a pivotal role in Bradford's promotion, earning the club's Player of the Season award as well as being named in the League Two Team of the Season. He subsequently joined Tranmere Rovers in 2025.