Guy Russell (footballer) explained

Guy Russell
Fullname:Guy Robert Russell
Position:Centre forward
Birth Date:28 September 1967
Birth Place:Shirley, England
Youthclubs1:Knowle North Star
Youthyears2:1984–1985
Youthclubs2:Birmingham City
Years1:1985–1989
Clubs1:Birmingham City
Caps1:11
Goals1:0
Years2:1987
Clubs2:Carlisle United (loan)
Caps2:12
Goals2:2
Years3:1989
Clubs3:Kemin Palloseura
Caps3:16
Goals3:5
Years4:1989–2000
Clubs4:Moor Green
Caps4:450
Goals4:135
Years5:2000–2005
Clubs5:Solihull Borough
Manageryears1:2004–2005
Managerclubs1:Solihull Borough

Guy Robert Russell (born 28 September 1967) is an English former professional footballer and manager who played in the Football League for Birmingham City and Carlisle United.[1] He played as a centre forward.

Life and career

Russell was born in Shirley, West Midlands.[2] As a junior, he played for Knowle North Star[3] before joining Birmingham City as a YTS trainee in 1984. He turned professional two years later.[2] He made his debut as a 17-year-old, on 19 March 1985, playing 90 minutes as Des Bremner's deputy in a Second Division game at home to Manchester City which finished goalless.[4] He made one substitute appearance in the following season in the First Division,[5] and spent the latter part of the 1987–88 season on loan at Carlisle United, where his two goals from 12 games failed to prevent the club's relegation from the Third Division.[1] Russell made another ten first-team appearances for Birmingham, but failed to score despite being a regular scorer in the junior teams, and in April 1989 he moved to Finland to play for Kemin Palloseura. Following their relegation, he returned to England and joined Moor Green of the Southern League.[2]

Russell was to remain with Moor Green for eleven years, and captained the team.[6] In April 1999, by which time he had 135 goals from 430 appearances in all competitions,[7] he was awarded a testimonial match between a Birmingham City All-Stars team and their Middlesbrough counterparts.[8] Manager Bob Faulkner later described him as "one of the Moor Green greats".[9]

In 2000 Russell joined Solihull Borough as a player, later becoming assistant manager and in March 2004 taking over as manager.[10] After nearly a year in post, Russell resigned, citing the time commitment and the frustration involved in managing a club unable to compete financially.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Birmingham City: 1947/48–2007/08 . UK A–Z Transfers . Neil Brown . 29 May 2009.
  2. Book: Matthews, Tony . Birmingham City: A Complete Record . 1995 . Breedon Books . Derby . 122 . 978-1-85983-010-9.
  3. Web site: The History of Knowle Football Club . Knowle F.C. . 29 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090618072143/http://www.knowlefc.co.uk/historyfr.htm . 18 June 2009.
  4. Matthews, p. 220.
  5. Matthews, p. 221.
  6. News: Russell op blow . Sports Argus . 2 January 1999 . 5 February 2021 . Gale OneFile: News . 28 . subscription.
  7. Encyclopedia: Clynes . Peter J. . Michael Preston . www.michaelprestonbooks.com . The Goal, The End: 106 Years of Moor Green Football Club . English . 11 January 2019 . www.feedaread.com . 101 .
  8. News: Veteran Russell vows to keep on running . Sports Argus . 24 April 1999 . 5 February 2021 . Gale OneFile: News . 28 . subscription.
  9. Web site: Moors pay tribute to retiring stalwart . NonLeague Daily . 7 June 2004 . 29 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120915141827/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=18034 . 15 September 2012.
  10. News: Solihull Borough . Birmingham Post . 17 March 2004 . 5 February 2021 . Gale OneFile: News . 30 . subscription.
  11. Web site: Russell quits Solihull . NonLeague Daily . 21 March 2005 . 29 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120915141837/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=25360 . 15 September 2012.