Russell was already an International Sportsman before joining Ipswich Town Football Club in 1975, he played England Under 15 Schoolboy Rugby in 1974 and the following year captained the England Under16 Schoolboy Rugby side. He played cricket for Staffordshire and was always a keen golfer who now plays off a handicap of 4 and supports many Proam and CelebAm charity golf events both here and abroad.
In his first season at Ipswich Town Russell lifted the FA Youth Cup as captain of the U18 team that beat West Ham United over a two legged final. The second leg being played at Portman Rd in front of 16,000 people.
Russell went on to be capped at U21, and won 11 Full International caps.
Ipswich Town FC won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981 led by Sir Bobby Robson and Russell's strength of character became obvious between April 1979 and September 1981 as he amassed 133 consecutive appearances. The Club was owned in those days by the eccentric Cobbold family of Tolly Cobbold Brewery fame.
In the Summer of 1981, after playing every minute of every game that season (66), Russell and some other Ipswich players went off to help make the pow film ESCAPE to VICTORY. Now over 30 years later that film starring Pele, Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone is still being played regularly and has a cult following.
In 1985 Russell moved to Leicester City for three season before returning down south to join Southampton for the next few years. Playing with the likes of Jimmy Case, Neil Ruddock, Matt Le Tissier, John Burridge and a young Alan Shearer saw Russell play at the highest level from 1977 through to 1991 when Russell finally dropped a division and joined Bristol Cty. 14 years at the top level, not bad for a rugby player from Burton on Trent Grammar School.
Management included spells at Bristol City, Cardiff City and caretaker roles at Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers and time spent back at Bristol City Academy as the U21 coach also led to a period of coaching the England Under 18 side which include Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand.
Russell also assisted the Manager at Exeter City which produced a splendid Wembley appearance and a return to League Football for Exeter City when they beat Cambridge City in the Conference Play Off Final 10.
Since his playing career finished Russell worked in the media, commentating and providing his professional opinion on football from around the world. This led to an amusing appearance on a celebrity footballers episode of Anne Robinson's 'The Weakest Link' , which included Kenneth Woolstenholme, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, Peter Bonetti and Frank Worthington.
For 12 years he worked regularly for Eurosport but also appeared on local ITV Sport, BBC Radio, SkySports News and even went as far as India for ZeeSport.
Recently Russell went back to Ipswich Town as the Under 18 Academy Coach, a successful job which lasted two and a half years.
As a member of The Lord's Taverners Russell had the opportunity to play with some outstanding international cricketers, not only in the UK but also in Monaco against Prince Rainier's X1 and also in Guernsey and Holland.
For over a decade Russell has been a keen cyclist, making the 960 mile trip from Land's End to John O'Groats in ten days, and from Wembley to La Manga in Spain, 1200 miles, in 12 days.
Running is another hobby of Russell's, partly from having to keep the family dogs fit and partly from, and thanks to, the energy and recovery powers of 'a juicing diet' having fresh vegetable juice and fruit juice smoothies on a daily basis.
The real passion would be for the golf course though and 4 handicapper Russell is a member of The Player's Golf Club near Bristol and Burnham and Berrow Golf Club just south of Weston Super Mare.
If you would like to book Russell for an appearance, golf day or a speaking engagement about either football, Escape to Victory, motivation, cycling and over 50s fitness issues including the benefits of 'juicing' then please send your request through our contact page or to [email protected]
In his first season at Ipswich Town Russell lifted the FA Youth Cup as captain of the U18 team that beat West Ham United over a two legged final. The second leg being played at Portman Rd in front of 16,000 people.
Russell went on to be capped at U21, and won 11 Full International caps.
Ipswich Town FC won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981 led by Sir Bobby Robson and Russell's strength of character became obvious between April 1979 and September 1981 as he amassed 133 consecutive appearances. The Club was owned in those days by the eccentric Cobbold family of Tolly Cobbold Brewery fame.
In the Summer of 1981, after playing every minute of every game that season (66), Russell and some other Ipswich players went off to help make the pow film ESCAPE to VICTORY. Now over 30 years later that film starring Pele, Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone is still being played regularly and has a cult following.
In 1985 Russell moved to Leicester City for three season before returning down south to join Southampton for the next few years. Playing with the likes of Jimmy Case, Neil Ruddock, Matt Le Tissier, John Burridge and a young Alan Shearer saw Russell play at the highest level from 1977 through to 1991 when Russell finally dropped a division and joined Bristol Cty. 14 years at the top level, not bad for a rugby player from Burton on Trent Grammar School.
Management included spells at Bristol City, Cardiff City and caretaker roles at Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers and time spent back at Bristol City Academy as the U21 coach also led to a period of coaching the England Under 18 side which include Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand.
Russell also assisted the Manager at Exeter City which produced a splendid Wembley appearance and a return to League Football for Exeter City when they beat Cambridge City in the Conference Play Off Final 10.
Since his playing career finished Russell worked in the media, commentating and providing his professional opinion on football from around the world. This led to an amusing appearance on a celebrity footballers episode of Anne Robinson's 'The Weakest Link' , which included Kenneth Woolstenholme, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, Peter Bonetti and Frank Worthington.
For 12 years he worked regularly for Eurosport but also appeared on local ITV Sport, BBC Radio, SkySports News and even went as far as India for ZeeSport.
Recently Russell went back to Ipswich Town as the Under 18 Academy Coach, a successful job which lasted two and a half years.
As a member of The Lord's Taverners Russell had the opportunity to play with some outstanding international cricketers, not only in the UK but also in Monaco against Prince Rainier's X1 and also in Guernsey and Holland.
For over a decade Russell has been a keen cyclist, making the 960 mile trip from Land's End to John O'Groats in ten days, and from Wembley to La Manga in Spain, 1200 miles, in 12 days.
Running is another hobby of Russell's, partly from having to keep the family dogs fit and partly from, and thanks to, the energy and recovery powers of 'a juicing diet' having fresh vegetable juice and fruit juice smoothies on a daily basis.
The real passion would be for the golf course though and 4 handicapper Russell is a member of The Player's Golf Club near Bristol and Burnham and Berrow Golf Club just south of Weston Super Mare.
If you would like to book Russell for an appearance, golf day or a speaking engagement about either football, Escape to Victory, motivation, cycling and over 50s fitness issues including the benefits of 'juicing' then please send your request through our contact page or to [email protected]