Surgery for City chairman

Richmond was taken ill on the way to the FA Premier League meeting in London last Monday but the club did not reveal details until yesterday.

It is the second health scare for the City chief this season. He collapsed at his club's Worthington Cup third round tie at Newcastle in November and was taken to hospital.

He returned to work five days later and immediately sacked manager Chris Hutchings and his assistant Malcolm Shotton.

City managing director Shaun Harvey said: "I have spoken to the chairman and he is now resting at home.

"It is a recurrence of the problem he had at Newcastle. It has now been completely resolved and he hopes to return to the club in about seven days to resume work."

Richmond felt ill during his journey to London - just 48 hours after his club's relegation to the Nationwide League Division One was confirmed by a 2-1 defeat at Everton.

He got off the train at Peter-borough and returned to Leeds where he saw a doctor and was admitted to St James's Hospital.

He was then transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he later underwent an operation on Wednesday and returned home yesterday.

His absence from Tuesday's Premiership clash with Liver-pool at Valley Parade was kept a closely guarded secret.

Harvey said: "In the seven years he has been at this club I cannot remember another occasion when he has missed a home match."

The club broke the news of his illness on their own website so as to "avoid unecessary speculation" once they received questions about his absence.

Richmond has also issued a statement to the club's followers.

He said: "It had been my intention to speak to all of the fans on the pitch before the Middles-brough game to thank them for their magnificent support during what has been a very difficult campaign.

"I understand on Tuesday night against Liverpool that the fans were magnificent and did the club proud."