Mark Russell (footballer, born 1996) explained

Mark Russell
Birth Date:22 March 1996
Birth Place:Paisley, Scotland
Position:Left midfielder
Youthclubs1:Gleniffer B.C.
Youthclubs2:St. Mirren B.C.
Years1:2013–2018
Clubs1:Greenock Morton
Caps1:126
Goals1:4
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:Falkirk
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Years3:2019–2021
Caps3:57
Goals3:3
Years4:2021–2022
Clubs4:Greenock Morton
Caps4:26
Goals4:0
Years5:2022
Clubs5:Galway United
Caps5:1
Goals5:0
Years6:2022–2024
Clubs6:Portadown
Caps6:71
Goals6:3
Club-Update:13:12, 19 May 2024 (UTC)

Mark Russell (born 22 March 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left midfielder. [1] He also regularly plays at left back/left wing back.

He began his career with Greenock Morton and made over 100 appearances for them, spending a short spell with Falkirk before spending two years playing in Ireland for Finn Harps.

Early life

Born in Paisley, Russell attended Gleniffer High School.[2]

Club career

Russell moved into the professional game when he signed a full-time contract with Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship as part of their new development squad.

He made his début for the club as an injury time substitute for Dougie Imrie in November 2013.[3]

In June 2014, Russell signed a new two-year development squad contract with Morton.[4]

Russell was included in the PFA Scotland League One Team of the Year for 2014-15 along with teammate Declan McManus.[5]

In Autumn 2015, Russell rejected a new contract offer from Morton.[6] A second offer was made, which Russell accepted in December 2015.[7] [8]

In June 2017, Russell signed up for a further season with the club.[9]

Falkirk

He left Morton in June 2018 in search of a new challenge, signing a six-month contract with rival Championship club Falkirk.[10] After making just four appearances for Falkirk, he was released by the club in January 2019.[11]

Finn Harps

Shortly after leaving Falkirk, Russell trialled with League of Ireland Premier Division side Finn Harps, earning himself a one-year deal at the Irish club.[12] He featured in 29 games for the club, scoring one goal in the relegation play-offs, as Harps retained their place in the Premier Division.[13]

Following speculation around his future, he signed a new one-year extension for the 2020 season in January 2020.[14]

2020 saw Russell having a successful season with Finn Harps. In the shortened 18 game season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Russell scored three times as the Donegal side recorded their highest league finish in twenty years, with Russell playing a number of games as a support striker. In turn, he finished as the clubs top league goalscorer. The season ended in disappointment, however, as Harps were controversially beaten by Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup quarter final.[15]

Russell signed on for a further year at Harps in January 2021, marking his third season in succession with the club.[16]

Return to Greenock Morton

On 22 June 2021, Russell returned to Greenock Morton after a three-year spell away from the club.[17]

Galway United

On 2 July 2022, he signed for League of Ireland First Division side Galway United until the end of the season.[18] He made his debut on 8 July, coming off the bench for the last 5 minutes of a 3–0 win over Cobh Ramblers in what proved to be his only appearance for the club.[19]

Portadown

Just one month later, on 4 August 2022 Russell moved club again, this time signing for NIFL Premiership club Portadown.[20] After 2 seasons at the club, Russell would depart, seeking a return to Scotland. [21]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Greenock Morton2013–14Scottish Championship120100000130
2014–15Scottish League One253200000273
2015–16Scottish Championship30040201[22] 0370
2016–1730130502[23] 0401
2017–18290304000360
Total1164130110301434
Falkirk2018–19Scottish Championship3000001[24] 040
Finn Harps2019League of Ireland Premier Division25010202[25] 1301
202017330203
202115000150
Total573402021654
Greenock Morton2021–22Scottish Championship26010002[26] 0290
Galway United2022League of Ireland First Division100010
Portadown2022–23NIFL Premiership0000000000
Career total2137180130812528

Honours

Morton

Winners 2014–15[27]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Russell bids fairwell. 24 June 2024. Portadown FC Website. 25 June 2024.
  2. News: The Next Big Thing...This week, Mark Russell. Greenock Telegraph. Jonathan. Mitchell. 26 September 2013. 9 November 2013.
  3. News: Morton 2–0 Dumbarton. Scottish Professional Football League. 9 November 2013. 9 November 2013.
  4. News: Youngster Russell stays with Morton. Greenock Telegraph. 10 June 2014. 10 June 2014. Jonathan. Mitchell.
  5. News: PFA Scotland Teams of the Year. Scottish Professional Football League. 1 May 2015. 2 May 2015. 18 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100706/http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/pfa-scotland-teams-of-the-year. dead.
  6. News: Russell waiting for right offer from Morton. Greenock Telegraph. 8 October 2015. 10 October 2015. Jonathan. Mitchell.
  7. News: Deal me in. Greenock Telegraph. 17 December 2015. Jonathan. Mitchell. 24.
  8. News: Contract extensions . Greenock Morton F.C. . 22 December 2015 . 22 December 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151223094241/http://gmfc.net/News/%26action%3Dfullnews%26id%3D1536 . 23 December 2015 .
  9. News: Mark Russell signs one-year contract extension. Greenock Morton F.C.. 14 June 2017. 14 June 2017. Jonathan. Mitchell.
  10. Web site: Mark Russell signs. Falkirk F.C.. falkirkfc.co.uk. 7 August 2018. 8 August 2018.
  11. Web site: PLAYER DEPARTURES. 3 January 2019. Falkirk Football Club.
  12. Web site: Finn Harps. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200127170002/https://www.finnharps.ie/post/horgan-adds-mark-russell-to-harps-squad. 2020-01-27.
  13. Web site: Russell glad to have made his 'Mark' on Finn Harps – Donegal Daily.
  14. Web site: Russell returns as Finn Harps add winger O'Sullivan for 2020 season - Donegal Sport Hub. 14 January 2020.
  15. Web site: 3 penalties in 5 minutes help Shamrock Rovers survive scare · The42.
  16. Web site: Finn Harps. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210130142002/https://www.finnharps.ie/post/mark-russell-returns-for-2021. 2021-01-30.
  17. Web site: Mark Russell returns to Morton. Greenock Morton F.C.. 22 June 2021. 22 June 2021.
  18. Web site: Mark Russell Signs for Galway United . 2 July 2022 .
  19. Web site: United keep the pressure on with victory over Cobh .
  20. Web site: Trio arrive at Shamrock while Anderson departs on loan . 4 August 2022 .
  21. Web site: Russell bids fairwell. 24 June 2024. Portadown FC Website. 25 June 2024.
  22. Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  23. Appearances in the Premiership play-offs
  24. Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  25. Appearance in the 2019 League of Ireland Premier Division Playoff
  26. Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  27. News: Greenock Morton claim League 1 title after 3–1 win against Peterhead. Scottish Television. 2 May 2015. 15 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095128/http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/morton/319243-greenock-morton-claim-league-1-title-after-3-1-win-against-peterhead/. 4 March 2016. dead.
  28. News: PFA Scotland Teams of the Year. Scottish Professional Football League. 1 May 2015. 15 August 2015. 18 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100706/http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/pfa-scotland-teams-of-the-year. dead.