Richard Thompson came to Exeter City on trial only for it to emege he was still contracted to Newport Conty. He later appeared in the Football League for Torquay United.

Invited to St James' Park by then-manager Colin Appleton, the arrangemnt had to be abruptly terminated when it became apparent that Richard was still a Newport player without City realising.

Having made 13 appearances (two goals) during the old Newport County's final season in the Football League in 1987/88, he subsquently joined Torquay where he enjoyed 15 league outings (scoring on four occasions) before signing for Yeovil Town in August 1989. 

Thereafter he played for Trowbridge Town, Salisbury City, Yate Town, Forest Green Rovers, Mangotsfield, Taunton and and Tiverton before managing Yate Town, Almondsbury Town and Mangotsfield United.