About David Russell
Lived 1862 – 1918 (aged 55–56). David Russell was a British association football player.
David Kennedy Russell (6 July 1863 – 18 January 1918) was a Scottish footballer.
Born in Beith, Ayrshire, centre–half Russell first signed for Scottish club, Stewarton Cunninghamme in 1882. It isn't precisely recorded when he left and joined Preston North End, but it was before November 1884. He joined Preston in their pre–League days and soon gained a reputation as a strong–tackling defender. He was certainly not a player to cross, as he showed in the match against Blackburn Olympic in 1886: Russell chased an opponent down the pitch and kicked him in the back. He was the club's first–choice centre–half when the first Football League season got underway.
Playing at centre–half, made his League debut on 22 September 1888 at Deepdale in a match against Bolton Wanderers. The home team defeated the visitors 3–1. He appeared in 18 of the 22 League matches played by Preston North End in season 1888–89, and was a member of the defence that kept 12 clean–sheets and restricted the opposition to one goal on three occasions. He also played in all the FA Cup ties, scoring in the semi–final, and achieved a winner's medal in the Final which Preston won 3–0 over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Russell played for Notts County in season 1895–96 for one season, playing nine times. Russell's appearances for Ardwick and Notts County were in Division Two.
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Important facts
People in David Russell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped David Russell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was David Russell?
Scottish football player (1862-1918)
When was David Russell born?
David Russell was born in 1862 in Beith.
When did David Russell die?
David Russell died on 18 January 1918 in Stewarton.
What was David Russell's occupation?
David Russell was an association football player.
What nationality was David Russell?
David Russell was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: David Russell (Scottish footballer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Russell. https://biography.guide/david-russell-association-football-player/
MLA: "David Russell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-russell-association-football-player/.
Chicago: "David Russell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-russell-association-football-player/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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