John Russell (Irish footballer) explained

John Russell
Fullname:John Russell
Birth Date:18 May 1985
Birth Place:Galway, Ireland
Currentclub:Sligo Rovers (manager)
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Salthill Devon
Years1:2003–2006
Clubs1:Galway United
Caps1:49
Goals1:4
Years2:2007–2009
Clubs2:Galway United
Caps2:69
Goals2:5
Years3:2010–2011
Clubs3:Sligo Rovers
Caps3:54
Goals3:7
Years4:2012–2013
Clubs4:St Patrick's Athletic
Caps4:47
Goals4:6
Years5:2014–2017
Clubs5:Sligo Rovers
Caps5:64
Goals5:7
Years6:2018
Clubs6:Westport United
Years7:2019–2021
Clubs7:Sligo Rovers
Caps7:12
Goals7:0
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland U19
Nationalyears2:2011
Nationalteam2:League of Ireland XI
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Manageryears1:2019–2022
Managerclubs1:Sligo Rovers (assistant manager)
Manageryears2:2022–
Managerclubs2:Sligo Rovers
Club-Update:13:59, 2 June 2022 (UTC)

John Russell (born 18 May 1985) is an Irish former professional footballer and current manager of Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Personal life

John's sister Julie-Ann plays for Galway W.F.C.[1] John is also an FAI Development Officer for Sligo.[2]

Career

Galway United

Russell started his League of Ireland football career with Galway United where he spent his first seasons as a player but in 2006 he left the club after three seasons at Terryland Park.
Russell re-signed for Galway United for the 2007 season and he spent a further three seasons at the club.

Sligo Rovers

For the 2010 season Russell signed for Sligo Rovers. He became an important part of the Sligo's side, becoming one of the most impressive performers of the 2010 campaign. Russell started the 2010 FAI Cup final against Shamrock Rovers. The game finished 0–0 (AET) but Sligo won the final on penalties.[3] In total in his first season at Sligo he made twenty league appearances scoring three times.Russell signed back again for the 2011 season where he made thirty-four appearances scoring four times for The Bit O'Red.[4] Russell started the 2011 FAI Cup final against Shelbourne. The game finished 1–1 (AET) but Sligo won the cup again on penalties for the second year in a row.[5]

Russell left Sligo Rovers shortly after. In 2014, Russell re-signed with Sligo Rovers. In 2019, he returned as a player/coach.

St Patrick's Athletic

On 20 January 2012, Russell signed for Dublin side St Patrick's Athletic and was giving the number 18 jersey. Buckley spoke to stpatsfc.com about the signing the Galway native:"John is a very exciting, attacking player who will fit in with the way we will play this season. He has been excellent for Sligo over the past two seasons and we're delighted to get him on board".[6] He hit the post and was later sent off after a questionable decision against Cliftonville in the Setanta Cup[7] Russell started the season off well, scoring away to Dundalk at Oriel Park, scoring the second goal in the 5–1 thumping of rivals Shamrock Rovers and setting up Chris Fagan to make it 4–1 in the same game.[8] [9] Russell picked up the RTÉ Man of the Match award for his superb assist of Sean O'Connor's goal and an excellent energetic performance away to his old club Sligo Rovers.[10] Russell missed a penalty in a Europa League game against NK Široki Brijeg from Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Stadion Pecara, but just 2 minutes later he set up Christy Fagan to open the scoring.[11] Fagan returned the favour in the second leg when he set Russell up to open the scoring in a 2–1 after extra-time to earn a tie with German club Hannover 96.[12]

International career

Russell has been capped at u19 level for the Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team.[13]

Coaching career

In March 2018, Russell was appointed as Westport United manager for the 2018 season of the Mayo Super League.[14]

In December 2018, it was announced that Russell would be returning to The Showgrounds and Sligo Rovers in a player-coach capacity. He would be assistant manager to Liam Buckley as well as being a registered player.[15]

On 22 May 2022, it was announced that Liam Buckley would depart the club, with Russell stepping in as interim manager.[16] On 2 June 2022, he was named as manager of the club on a permanent basis.[17]

Managerial statistics

Competitive games only – correct as of 10 August 2024.

Honours

Sligo Rovers

2010, 2011

2014

St Patrick's Athletic

2013

Notes and References

  1. News: Russell & McCabe get in on sister act . 23 January 2012 . wnl.fai.ie . 22 April 2012.
  2. News: John Russell appointed FAI Development Officer for Sligo . fai.ie . FAI . 5 December 2013. 5 December 2013.
  3. News: Sligo Rvrs 0–0 Shamrock Rvrs AET (2–0 penalties). rte .
  4. News: John Russell signs for 2011 . https://archive.today/20121203035327/http://sligorovers.com/latest-news-news-menu-inside-246/1079-john-russell-signs-for-2011 . dead . 3 December 2012 . sligorovers.com.ie . Sligo Rovers . 24 January 2011 . 2 April 2012 .
  5. News: Sligo Rovers win FAI Cup after penalty shoot-out . rte .
  6. News: John Russell Signs . 20 January 2011 . stpatsfc.com . 2 April 2012 . St Patrick's Athletic . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024035748/http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id . 24 October 2016 . dead .
  7. Web site: St Patrick's Athletic (0) – Cliftonville (1). stpatsfc.com.
  8. News: Dundalk 0 – 2 St Patrick's Athletic . extratime.ie. extratime . 9 March 2012 . 9 March 2012 .
  9. Web site: St Patrick's Athletic 5 -1 Shamrock Rovers.
  10. Web site: Sligo Rovers (1) – St Patrick's Athletic (1). stpatsfc.com.
  11. Web site: Siroki Brijeg v St. Patrick's Ath – Pecara Stadium – Extratime.ie – League of Ireland Fixtures . 8 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225700/http://www.extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/142/2012/18431/1/ . 2 December 2013 . dead .
  12. Web site: St. Patrick's Athletic 2-1 NK Siroki Brijeg. ExtraTime.com.
  13. Web site: About John Russell . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120513094106/http://extratime.ie/squads/players/29/418/ . 13 May 2012 .
  14. News: Former League of Ireland star Russell is new Westport United boss. The Connaught Telegraph. 16 March 2018. 18 January 2019.
  15. News: Russell appointed assistant manager, signed as player. Sligo Rovers. 5 December 2018. 18 January 2019.
  16. Sligo Rovers part company with Buckley. 22 May 2022. rte.ie.
  17. Web site: John Russell appointed Bit O' Red Manager – Sligo Rovers. 2 June 2022 .