Alan Richardson: Why Most People Are Confusing These Three Men

Alan Richardson: Why Most People Are Confusing These Three Men

If you’re typing "how old is Alan Richardson" into a search bar, you’ve likely hit a wall of confusion. It's a common problem. There isn't just one famous Alan Richardson; there are at least three prominent figures across the sporting world with that exact name.

Whether you’re a cricket fan looking for the current Worcestershire Head Coach, an AFL devotee tracking a former St Kilda legend, or you’ve accidentally misspelled the name of a certain Hollywood action star, the age gap between these men is massive.

The Cricket Coach: How Old is Alan Richardson Today?

For the cricket fans in the room, Alan Richardson is 50 years old. Born on May 6, 1975, in Northwich, Cheshire, Richardson is currently the Head Coach of Worcestershire County Cricket Club. It’s been quite a journey for him. He was a late bloomer in the playing world, a right-arm medium-fast bowler who didn’t really hit his stride until he was in his thirties. Most players are eyeing the commentary box by that age, but Richardson was just getting started.

He spent his playing days at Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Middlesex, and eventually Worcestershire. Honestly, his career is a testament to the "grinders" of the game. He took 569 first-class wickets, which is no small feat. He finally hung up the boots in 2014, when he was 38. Since then, he’s transitioned into a highly respected coach.

In late 2022, he took the reins as Head Coach at Worcestershire. As of January 2026, he’s leading the squad through their winter preparations and looking toward the 2026 season. If you're following the County Championship, he's the face you're likely thinking of.

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The AFL Legend: A Different Generation

Then we have the Australian rules football contingent. This is where the age search gets really messy because there are two of them in this sport alone.

  1. The St Kilda/Collingwood Alan Richardson: This is likely the one AFL fans are looking for. He is 60 years old. Born on May 17, 1965, he played 114 games for Collingwood before moving into a prolific (and sometimes stressful) coaching career, most notably as the senior coach for St Kilda from 2014 to 2019.
  2. "Bull" Richardson: If you're looking at historical stats, you might find the legendary Alan "Bull" Richardson. Sadly, he passed away in 2015 at the age of 74. He was a Richmond Premiership player and a true icon of the 1960s era.

When people ask how old is Alan Richardson in the context of Australian sports, they are almost always talking about the former St Kilda coach. At 60, he remains a significant figure in the footy landscape, often appearing in media or administrative roles.

The "Reacher" Confusion: Alan Ritchson

We have to address the elephant in the room. A huge percentage of people searching for "Alan Richardson" are actually looking for Alan Ritchson, the star of the Amazon Prime series Reacher.

The names are phonetically almost identical if you're speaking quickly.

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Alan Ritchson is 43 years old. He was born on November 28, 1982.

It’s an easy mistake to make, but the difference is pretty stark. One is a 50-year-old English cricket coach with a penchant for tactical bowling, and the other is a 43-year-old American actor who looks like he was carved out of granite. If you were wondering how a cricket coach got so jacked for a TV show, now you know—you've got the wrong guy.

Why the Age of Alan Richardson Matters in 2026

In the world of professional sports coaching, age is more than just a number; it’s about the era of experience you bring to the table.

For the cricket-focused Alan Richardson, being 50 puts him in a "sweet spot." He played in the transition era where the game moved from traditional county vibes to the high-data, high-intensity world of T20 and the Hundred. He’s old enough to remember the "old ways" of swing bowling but young enough to utilize modern sports science.

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Worcestershire has seen a lot of change recently. Richardson’s steady hand at age 50 is exactly what the club has leaned on during their recent campaigns.

Quick Age Reference Table (Mental Check)

  • Alan Richardson (Cricket): 50 years old (Born 1975).
  • Alan Richardson (AFL Coach): 60 years old (Born 1965).
  • Alan Ritchson (Actor/Reacher): 43 years old (Born 1982).
  • Al Richardson (NFL/Falcons): 68 years old (Born 1957).

What to Do With This Information

If you're tracking how old is Alan Richardson for betting purposes, fantasy leagues, or just a pub quiz, make sure you've identified the right sport.

  • For Cricket fans: Follow the Worcestershire CCC official updates. Richardson is very active in the media during the season, often giving insights into player development.
  • For AFL fans: Look toward Melbourne-based sports media. The 60-year-old Richardson is a frequent guest on footy talk shows.
  • For TV fans: Check your spelling! If you want the guy hitting people in diners, it’s R-I-T-C-H-S-O-N.

Double-check the birth dates before you cite a fact. With so many Richardsons in the database, it's easy to accidentally age someone by a decade or move them to a different continent entirely.

Verify the middle initial if you're looking at legal or official documents. The cricket coach is Alan Richardson, whereas the AFL coach is often listed as Alan R. Richardson. It’s a small detail, but it’s the only way to stay accurate in a sea of identical names.