Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
128	128	0	26	7	0	92

The Rovers did not have much to cheer about in the late 1940s, but one player who brought colour and character to the side was Jimmy Russell. His ruddy complexion and jaunty air were striking, and he had a very unusual style with his bowed legs, which earned him the nickname of 'cowboy'. It was often joked that he ran on his knees!

He joined the club as a stand-off in 1938, but soon reverted to scrum-half and made his senior debut at Hull on 1 April 1939. He made only two appearances before the outbreak of war in September intervened, and he did not return until after the war, which took six years out of his career. Jack Higgins and Harold Moxon had established themselves in the meantime and were vying for the number 7 position which meant that Russell had to spend his time with the reserves. Their retirement gave him his opportunity in 1947/48 and as the Rovers struggled in the league, his two tries against Wakefield in a surprise 19-11 win in October brought some relief. This was one of his most satisfying games as he outplayed Billy Banks, the Wakefield international scrum-half. A run of 24 successive defeats must have been soul destroying, but Russell was always cajoling and prompting.  The situation did not improve much in 1948/49, but Russell enjoyed his best season with 31 appearances and 8 tries.

Full of enthusiasm and endeavour, he withstood the challenge of Cyril Gilbertson in 1949/50 and with the arrival of Freddie Miller there was some relief as his superb kicking lifted the pressure. Totally unpredictable, Russell's unorthodox style did have its rewards. His try at Castleford in November 1950 earned a shock 16-15 win against his home-town club, and against York in April 1951 his try prompted this report: 'Russell's individuality is still the subject of much comment. To score his try he went straight through the pack from 10 yards out with physical strength not associated with number 7s. Laurie Gant, who played with him, recalls that often when he got the ball from the scrum he would say 'follow me'. Laurie did, and nothing happened as Jimmy went on his own individual way. He was tough and uncompromising, but was a shining light for the Rovers. Jack Blackburn and Russell shared a testimonial in 1951/52, but when he was replaced by Ray Evans in the 1952 Cup run, he parted company with Featherstone.  After a brief spell at Hull KR, he gave up the game.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey