Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Player Profiles 2008-9: Sam Russell
Player Profiles 2008-9: Sam Russell
Saturday, 12th Jul 2008 08:38

Fresh from being awarded the number one in the new squad numbers, we update the profile of Sam Russell as the Player Profiles get their annual facelift.

Player Profile: Sam Russell

Player Name Sam Russell
Position Goalkeeper
Squad Number 1
Date of Birth 4th October 1982
Place of Birth Middlesbrough
Signed for Dale Darlington - Free Transfer (10.08.07)
Dale Debut Dale 1 Bury 3 - 09.10.07
Previous Clubs Middlesbrough
Darlington
Scunthorpe United
Contract Expires June 2010
You could almost claim that Sam Russell accidentally ended up at Spotland. He came to the club in the Summer of 2007 initially looking for somewhere to train after a couple of potential moves to other League Two sides had fallen through. And whilst he trained with the club, it made perfect sense for him to sign non contract forms with the club so that if needed, we could call upon his services.

And as a knock on effect of the transfer window, he remained at the club becoming a permanent fixture on the bench. However, once Dale number one Jamie Spencer picked up a hip injury a day or two before our FA Cup trip to Southend, meaning Russell was given a chance in the first team, and as they say from that moment on, he never looked back.

His introduction to the side coincided with the end of the defensive injury crisis, and all these factors ensured a massive turn around for Dale on the pitch as the disappointing start to the season was ended.

Russell proved himself to be a very popular keeper and it wasn't long before people were saying that he was no longer filling in for Spencer, but rather that he was the better keeper of the two and was full deserving of his starting place.

He retained his place for the next four months till a finger injury picked up in February ruled him out for the remainder of the season. However, he'd done enough during that time to be awarded a new contract by Keith Hill and in what would appear to be a bold statement from the club, he was given the squad number one meaning that it is Russell that will be Dale's first choice keeper for the forthcoming season, form withstanding.

Russell's career had kicked off at his hometown club Middlesborough, but he was unable to make his way into the first team reckoning, and it needed a loan move to Darlington in 2002 for him to make his professional debut, where he made a solitary appearance. He had a further spell at Scunthorpe the following season, where he saved a Leo Bertos penalty at a rain lashed Spotland.

That one game at Darlo obviously left quite an impression on the North East club as he joined them permanently in 2004 going on to make over a hundred league appearances for the Quakers before leaving three years later after failing to agree terms.

Dale Stats (to July 2008)

  League Other Total
Season App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Goals
2007-2008 15 0 0 2 0 0 17 0 0
Total 15 0 0 2 0 0 17 0 0

Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Rochdale Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024