Willie Russell

This article is about the footballer. For the English dramatist, see Willy Russell. For other people of similar names, see William Russell (disambiguation).

William Fraser Russell^[1] (born 6 December 1901 in Falkirk)^[2] was a Scottish professional footballer who played as an inside right. He scored both goals for Airdrieonians in the 1924 Scottish Cup Final.

Willie Russell

Personal information
Full name	William Fraser Russell
Date of birth	6 December 1901
Place of birth	Falkirk, Scotland
Position(s)	Inside right
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
–	Benburb
1920–1925	Airdrieonians	127	(37)
1925–1931	Preston North End	133	(35)
1931–1932	Shelbourne
Total		263	(72)
International career
1924–1925	Scotland	2	(0)
1924–1925	Scottish Football League XI	2	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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.^[3] McPhail said, "The terror-like attitude of Gallacher caused havoc with the Hibs defenders. He and Russell were easily our best forwards".^[4] 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.^[5]

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).^[1][6]

References

1. "[SFL player] William Fraser Russell". London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
2. (Smith 2013, p. 252)
3. The Cup Final | Airdrieonians' First Success, The Glasgow Herald, 21 April 1924
4. Hughie Gallacher on Queens Legends, www.qosfc.com
5. John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine.
6. "[Scotland player] Willie Russell". London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 9 June 2013.

Sources

• Smith, Paul (2013). Scotland Who's Who. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 9781909178847.