Willie Russell Explained

Willie Russell
Fullname:William Fraser Russell
Birth Date:6 December 1901
Birth Place:Falkirk, Scotland
Years1:
Years2:1920–1925
Caps2:127
Goals2:37
Years3:1925–1931
Caps3:133
Goals3:35
Years4:1931–1932
Totalcaps:263
Totalgoals:72
Nationalyears1:1924–1925
Nationalteam1:Scotland
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1924–1925
Nationalteam2:Scottish Football League XI
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:2

William Fraser Russell (born 6 December 1901 in Falkirk) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as an inside right. He scored both goals for Airdrieonians in the 1924 Scottish Cup Final.

Playing career

Airdrieonians

He formed part of a potent Airdrie front line including Hughie Gallacher and Bob McPhail. Russell scored both goals for the Diamonds when they won the 1924 Scottish Cup Final against Hibernian.[1] McPhail said, "The terror-like attitude of Gallacher caused havoc with the Hibs defenders. He and Russell were easily our best forwards".[2] They also finished second that season in Scotland's top division, both outcomes marking the pinnacle of the club's achievements.

After five full seasons in Airdrie, he moved to Preston North End in England, where he spent around the same length of time, then had a short spell with Irish club Shelbourne in the autumn of his career.[3]

International

Russell represented Scotland twice, debuting in the season of the cup win on 16 February 1924 in a 2–0 defeat to Wales in Cardiff. His second and final full cap was on 4 April 1925 in a 2–0 win against England at Hampden Park; Airdrie teammate Gallacher scored both goals. He also represented the Scottish League twice in the season after the cup win. He played in a 3–0 win against the Irish League at Tynecastle Park and scored twice in a 4–3 defeat to England at Goodison Park (Gallacher was the other Scottish scorer).[4] [5]

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=651AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T6UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3503%2C6701529 The Cup Final | Airdrieonians' First Success
  2. http://qosfc.com/content-legendsView.aspx?playerid=1039 Hughie Gallacher on Queens Legends, www.qosfc.com
  3. A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players. John Litster. Scottish Football Historian magazine. October 2012.
  4. Web site: [SFL player] William Fraser Russell ]. London Hearts Supporters' Club . 9 June 2013.
  5. Web site: [Scotland player] Willie Russell ]. London Hearts Supporters' Club . 9 June 2013.