Former Fartown centre Jimmy Russell has died

Jan 24 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

FORMER Fartown centre Jimmy Russell has died in the Royal Oldham Hospital, aged 65, after a heart attack.

Oldham-born Russell was signed by Huddersfield from Saddleworth Rangers, along with his playing colleague and lifelong friend Tony Finan, on May 23, 1963.

He made his Huddersfield debut playing at right centre against Featherstone Rovers in a 5-0 win at Post Office Road two days later.

Jimmy was also talented at football and had the chance of trials with Manchester United.

But his ambition was always to be a professional rugby league player, serving the Fartowners with both first and second teams as a centre and full back until his transfer to Bradford on January 30, 1968.

His final Huddersfield game was at Doncaster on September 30, 1967.

He played 60 (plus five sub) first-team games (eight tries), plus 53 A-team appearances (10 tries, 10 goals).

His funeral service will be at Oldham Parish Church on Wednesday, January 28 at 1.00pm, followed by committal at Oldham Crematorium.