Richmond: Six weeks of madness

"He would also like to make it clear that whilst he was in contract discussions with Middlesbrough he did not receive any proposal or offer as he had indeed hoped and anticipated after his successful loan period with the club which resulted in the club remaining in the Premiership.

"The only information he received was that his services would no longer be required."

Richmond admitted that he made a mistake in signing Carbone, Stan Collymore and Dan Petrescu on big wages at the start of the 2000/ 2001 season.

"I will never, ever forgive myself for spending the money we did," he said.

"Looking back now, it was six weeks of madness and I hold my hands up."