The following article was published in Look at Linfield for the game against Donegal Celtic in November 2007. It is reproduced here as a tribute to the late Alex Russell.
Alex Recalls his Linfield Memories – by Roy McGivern
Linfield goalkeeping great, Alex Russell recently shared his memories of a great football career with "Look at Linfield". Alex was born in the village of Kells, near Ballymena, and the lure of Linfield Football Club was something which he encountered at an early age.
“Coming from a wee village like Kells it was a dream to play for such a big club like Linfield. I never realised when I was a young boy that I would end up playing for the Blues, a team I supported from an early age. My father used to lift me over the turnstiles to see Linfield when they played at Ballymena Showgrounds and it was a great thrill in those days.”
Alex began his football career with Summerfield in the Irish Intermediate League before signing for Cliftonville in the 1941/42 season. His solid performances for the Reds soon brought him to the attention of the Linfield scouts. Alex recalls “I never missed a match for Cliftonville and I remember playing against Linfield in the semi-final of the Irish Cup. Tommy Breen was the Linfield goalkeeper at the time and he had come over from Manchester United. I think United were looking for a big fee for Breen and Linfield signed me as cover. Tommy eventually moved to Shamrock Rovers and I established myself in the first team.”
That was the beginning of a wonderful playing career at Linfield for the modest Russell, spanning 16 years and earning him an impressive haul of 39 medals. There were many highlights but Alex has particularly fond memories of his Irish Cup triumphs. “My first Irish Cup winners medal was a proud moment, it was such a big occasion and we beat Coleraine 3-0 in the 1947/48 season. Their player manager in that game, Isaac McDowell, later joined Linfield. I got two more winners medals, we beat Distillery 2-1 in the 1950 final and Coleraine again 5-0 in 1953.”
His prowess between the posts was soon recognised by others outside Linfield and Alex earned 12 caps for the Irish League representative side. He played a starring role in a 5-2 win against a star-studded English League side at Windsor Park in 1956. “That was a strong English side with players like Jimmy Armfield, Tommy Lawton and Wilf Mannion. The Irish League side was made up of mostly Linfield and Glenavon players apart from George Eastham (Ards) and Davis, a left back from Crusaders. Linfield were well represented with me, Tommy Dickson and Tommy Hamill all playing in what was a great win.”
Alex has mixed memories of his international career, gaining his sole cap in a 7-2 defeat to England in 1946. He recalls: “I did play in one other game, a friendly game against the British Army, but I have no regrets about only gaining one cap. It was very hard to get international recognition in those days as it was an all Ireland side and you were competing with players from the South. The match I played in we had Johnny Carey from Manchester United in the side and it was a proud moment for me.”
In his 16-year career at Windsor Park, Alex played with many of the Linfield greats. “We had so many outstanding players but I remember people like Bob Bryson, Alfie McMichael, Dick Keith, Davy Walsh, Sammy McCrory and Norman Lockhart. The Boxing Day games against Belfast Celtic always stood out for me, we were playing in front of packed grounds and the atmosphere was terrific.”
When his playing days ended, Alex continued his association with Linfield firstly as a coach with the Swifts and later as first team trainer. He spent a total of 30 years with the club and it was a fitting tribute that the former Kop Stand was re-named in his honour a few years back.
“The lady who won the competition had been a Linfield supporter in my playing days and she rang to ask would I mind if the stand was named after me. I was pleased to accept this honour and I met the supporter and her son at the official naming of the stand.”
Alex had a distinguished career with his beloved Linfield, yet the modest Co. Antrim man remains as quiet and unassuming today as he was at the height of his career. The term Linfield Legend is often overused but I can’t think of a more appropriate expression for Alex “Sandy” Russell.