Former Bulldogs’ D-man Josh Richardson - appeal for help

ACCIDENT: Former Bulldogs’ D-man Josh Richardson remains in a critical condition in a Bangkok hospital following a motorcycling accident while on holiday in Thailand.

FRIENDS and family of former Bradford Bulldogs defenceman Josh Richardson are rallying round after a motorcycling accident on holiday in Thailand left him in a critical condition.

The 24-year-old is currently in an intensive care unit in a Bangkok hospital and has undergone treatment, including several operations, for the serious head injuries he sustained in the accident, which happened in the early hours of Friday, February 3.

His parents Susan and Jim have flown out to be by his side while, back home, friends, including current and former hockey team-mates of Josh, have started doing what they can to help.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help cover the cost of the additional medical treatment he will require out in Thailand, while a fund-raising game between his current team Deeside Dragons and former club Bradford Bulldogs is being discussed for later in the season.

Josh’s mum, Susan, who is due to return to the UK on Monday, said: “It was such terrible news when we heard what had happened.

“He is in a bad way and we flew out there to be with him as soon as we could.

“We’re not sure what’s going to happen and we’re so grateful for everything that people are doing back home - it means such a lot to our family.”

Having initially started out with hometown team Blackburn juniors, Josh then played in Sheffield for a season before joining Bradford in 2013, aged 15.

Josh made the move across to Bradford when he was 15. The defenceman has spent the majority of his career in West Yorkshire, spending a couple of seasons on a two-way with Deeside. 

After playing solely with the Bulldogs from 2018-22 he made the move full-time up to the NIHL One North Dragons last summer.

He works for NHS Direct in Leeds as a Higher Information Analyst having also studied for a BScBusiness Analytics University of Leeds between 2017-21.

Joanne Gibson, Bradford Bulldogs NIHL’s team manager has set uo a Go Fund Me page to help with the costs of Josh’s medical expenses and you can donate as much as you can possible spare HERE