Martin Russell

Martin Christopher Russell (born 27 April 1967) is an Irish former professional footballer and manager who currently manages Newbridge Town in the FAI National League. As a player, he played in the English Football League for Birmingham City, Leicester City, Scarborough and Middlesbrough. He also played for Portadown in the Irish Football League and for St Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland.

He managed UCD for five seasons, winning the League of Ireland First Division in 2009. He was the assistant manager of St Patrick's Athletic in 2014 from January until July when he took over as manager of Limerick He left Limerick by mutual consent in April 2017. In 2018 he spent a short time as manager of Bray Wanderers before departing the club a month later due to the club's financial turmoil. In 2022 he managed Athlone Town for 8 games.

He played for the Republic of Ireland national football team at the 1984 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship and the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship. He won four caps for the Republic of Ireland under-21 team. and in 1992 won the Northern Ireland PFA Player of the Year award.

Russell was appointed by his old club St Patrick's Athletic as assistant manager to his former Pats manager Liam Buckley on 24 February 2014.

Limerick FC In July 2014, he left St Patrick's Athletic to become the manager of struggling Premier Division side Limerick FC, who had fired manager Stuart Taylor. Russell successfully kept the club in the Premier Division, but Limerick were relegated the following season, losing a playoff 2–1 on aggregate to Finn Harps. Tasked with bringing the club straight back to the top flight, Russell guided Limerick to the first Division title in record time, as well as reaching the final of the EA Sports League Cup, which they lost to his old club St Patrick's Athletic.

Following a poor start to the 2017 season culminating in a 0–3 home defeat by Cork City, he left Limerick by mutual consent on 3 April 2017.

Bray Wanderers In April 2018, Russell was appointed by Bray Wanderers in an advisory role to caretaker manager Graham Kelly. On 8 June, Russell was appointed as first team manager at Bray after Kelly's caretaker role reached the maximum 60 day mark. However, Russell resigned on 18 July amid financial turmoil at the club.

Athlone Town On 9 November 2021, Russell was appointed as manager of League of Ireland First Division club Athlone Town. After going winless in the 2022 campaign, drawing one and losing seven, Russell and Athlone parted ways by mutual agreement on 10 April 2022.

Managerial statistics

Honours

As a player Portadown Irish League (1): 1995–96 Irish League Cup (1): 1995–96

St Patrick's Athletic League of Ireland (1): 1998–99 Leinster Senior Cup (1): 1999–2000

As a manager UCD League of Ireland First Division (1): 2009

St Patrick's Athletic (assistant) FAI President's Cup (1): 2014