Richards aims to be next star from Exeter academy

Jake Richards has played 17 first-team games for Exeter City

Jake Richards says he wants to be the next Exeter City academy player to make his mark on the game.

The 17-year-old midfielder has begun to break into City's first team, featuring 17 times in all competitions since his debut, aged 16, in August 2023.

Richards says England striker Ollie Watkins, Wales defender Ethan Ampadu and England Under-21 forward Jay Stansfield - who all started out at Exeter - are big inspirations for him.

"The club's got a big reputation for producing great academy players," Richards told BBC Sport.

"It puts a bit of not added pressure, but you want to go and be the next person to do something.

"It certainly gives you more hunger, but also to look at them and see where they've gone, it gives you belief where you can get to."

Richards has impressed in red and white stripes - he scored his first goal in the Vertu Trophy win over Tottenham's under-21 side in September.

He says working with City boss Gary Caldwell has helped bring his game on.

"It's great for him to come out and say good things about me, but I just listen to what he says in training," Richards said.

"His advice to me, what to do, it's a big help - he helps me off the ball, helps me on the ball, helps me mentally.

"He's looked after me quite well, so I'm just grateful for that."

Jake Richards is one of a number of Exeter academy players trying to break into the first-team squad

Richards is set to feature in Exeter's Vertu Trophy game with Birmingham City on Tuesday - it's a competition he has played six times in.

He feels it has given him a great chance to get added first-team experience as he tries to get opportunities to impress the Grecians hierarchy.

"I think it's a great competition, especially for younger players to start to get games in," Richards added.

"It's still a big competition, there's good teams such as the under-21 academies and other first teams.

"I think it gives you that taste of what's to come and the experience to prove yourself to the manager and the other players."

Richards has yet to commit to his first professional deal at Exeter, despite being so highly rated.

In the days after Richards' first goal, Caldwell said he was keen to sign him, saying he could see a "big future for him" at the club.

"I just want to play as much football as I can at whatever level that is," Richards said, when asked about signing that professional deal.

"If that's the first team here then obviously doing as well as I can in the games, having the biggest impact possible and see where that takes me in the future.

"I just try and focus on my football - the manager and I have a good relationship, we work well together."