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Richard Kingson: 9 things you didn't know about Black Stars goalkeeper's trainer

By Mutala Yakubu
Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson
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Richard Kingson popularly known as "Olele" is a household name when it comes to goalkeeping in the country.

Now retired, Kingson will go down as one of the most famous goalkeepers to ever be in the post for the Black Stars of Ghana.

Just 6 ft 0 inches, Kingson was hard to beat, very aggressive and a great leader.

The former Great Olympics goalie paid his dues to Ghana Football.

Now the goalkeeper's trainer for the Black Stars .

Kingson lived a very modest life and many may not know much about the 39-year-old.

Here are 9 things you didn't know about Richard Kingson



1. Early football career

Richard Kingson (Second from left) left Olympics in 1996

Richard Kingson left his native Accra , where he was playing for Great Olympics in 1996 to pursue a career in Turkey, where he represented six different clubs.

His first club in Turkey was Galatasaray S.K., whom he signed for in December 1996 but did not play a single game.



2. He has Turkish citizenship

Richard Kingson is a naturalised Turkish citizen with the name Faruk Gürsoy

Richard Kingson became a naturalised citizen, taking a Turkish name, Faruk Gürsoy, coming from Faruk Süren and Ergun Gürsoy.


3. Six months suspension

Richard Kingson was suspended for six months for failing a doping test

In 2004–05 season when he played with Galatasaray again, he was suspended from football for six months after a failed doping test.


4. Once branded a waste

Richard Kingson was branded a waste by Birmingham co-owner

At the end of the 2007 season, co-owner of Birmingham David Sullivan blamed the club's relegation on the quality of previous manager Steve Bruce's signings, branding Kingson a "complete waste of space".

Kingson was disappointed and angered by the perceived unfairness of Sullivan's reaction, saying that "An older person, in his position, has to speak maturely.

He has to be a responsible man as co-owner to speak well and set an example for younger people.



5.Brother of Laryea Kingston

Laryea Kingston is the brother of Richard Kingson

Kingson is the brother of Laryea Kingston, who was also a member of the Ghana national team.

Both played for the Black Stars in several competitions and helped Ghana to qualify for its first world cup.


6. Kingson has one goal for Ghana

Richard Kingson has one goal for Black StarsIn 2008, he scored a goal for Ghana in a friendly, a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Tanzania.

His goal was assisted by his brother Laryea Kingston.

 

7. Why he uses "Kingson" and not "Kingston"

He uses Kingson instead of their family name Kingston

Many have wondered why he decided to do away with the "t" in his surname at some point.

His brother Laryea uses Kingston but Richard uses Kingson.

The different spelling of the surnames is due to "irregularity on his identity documents".

Read also:10 Ghanaian Football Legends who sold Ghana to the world

 

 

8. T.B Joshua controversy

His wife in a deliverance service said he destoyed Kingson's career

In 2012 a controversy arose when Kingson's wife during a prayer deliverance at the Synagogue Church Of All Nations Church of T. B. Joshua in Nigeria confessed that she had used spirits to destroy Kingson's career and rendered him impotent.

Kingson defended his wife by saying that it was not she who spoke but a spirit that spoke through her.


9.Appearance and honours for Ghana

Richard Kinson made 90 appearances for the Black Stars

Richard Kingston made 90 appearances for the Black Stars of Ghana between 1996-2012 and won a bronze medal in 2008 AFCON and Silver in 2010 edition with the Black Stars.