Kevin Russell (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Kevin John Russell is an English
former professional footballer who played as a forward
.
but appearances were limited with the highlight of his South Coast career being when he presented Simon Flynn with Portchester Youth U12's Managers player of the season award, mainly due to his excellent penalty saving record, after which he moved on to Wrexham during the 1987 close season. In the first of his two spells with the club he scored at a rate of just over a goal every two games. In 1989 he joined Leicester City
, but was loaned out four times. However he fought his way into the first team at the end of the 1991–92 season and became a cult-hero, scoring several important late goals after coming off the bench as he helped fire Leicester to the play-off final, eventually losing to Blackburn Rovers
. Despite this, he went to Stoke City
at the end of the season. While at Stoke he became a key member of the first team as Stoke won the Second Division championship.
After one season at Stoke he moved onto Burnley
. Short spells with Bournemouth
and Notts County
followed before a move back to the Racecourse Ground
. Here, at last, Russell found a permanent home – he was to play nearly 200 more league games for The Robins in a deeper role, eventually being rewarded with a testimonial against Manchester United
. In his second spell at Wrexham he is best remembered for his winning goal against West Ham in an FA Cup third round replay in the 1996/97 season. With the tie goalless, Russell scored a 90th minute goal to dump West Ham out of the cup at Upton Park. He remained at the club until being sacked in January 2007. On the 12th of January 2011, he agreed to rejoin Peterborough United, with Darren Ferguson
for a second spell.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer who played as a forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
.
Career
An former England Youth international, Russell (nicknamed Rooster early in his career because of his quiff); later to lose all his hair) was a professional footballer (soccer player) who played for 11 clubs in a career spanning nearly 20 years. Released by Brighton after an apprenticeship Russell returned to his hometown club PortsmouthPortsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
but appearances were limited with the highlight of his South Coast career being when he presented Simon Flynn with Portchester Youth U12's Managers player of the season award, mainly due to his excellent penalty saving record, after which he moved on to Wrexham during the 1987 close season. In the first of his two spells with the club he scored at a rate of just over a goal every two games. In 1989 he joined Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, but was loaned out four times. However he fought his way into the first team at the end of the 1991–92 season and became a cult-hero, scoring several important late goals after coming off the bench as he helped fire Leicester to the play-off final, eventually losing to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. Despite this, he went to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
at the end of the season. While at Stoke he became a key member of the first team as Stoke won the Second Division championship.
After one season at Stoke he moved onto Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
. Short spells with Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
and Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
followed before a move back to the Racecourse Ground
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
. Here, at last, Russell found a permanent home – he was to play nearly 200 more league games for The Robins in a deeper role, eventually being rewarded with a testimonial against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. In his second spell at Wrexham he is best remembered for his winning goal against West Ham in an FA Cup third round replay in the 1996/97 season. With the tie goalless, Russell scored a 90th minute goal to dump West Ham out of the cup at Upton Park. He remained at the club until being sacked in January 2007. On the 12th of January 2011, he agreed to rejoin Peterborough United, with Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson is a Scottish football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as the manager of Peterborough United...
for a second spell.