Glentoran FC is delighted to announce that our young full back Johnny Russell has signed his first full time professional contract with the club. This will keep Johnny at the Bet McLean Oval until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Johnny (19) has been with the club since joining as a 10-year-old, so is currently in his ninth season at Glentoran. It’s a tremendous achievement for any young player to make it all the way through from 10 to the first team so Johnny has showed great determination and talent to now make it to full time football.
“I was brought to the Oval by Jason Lindsay and played right through the ranks with Jason’s 2004 team. It was a great team with a lot of lads who are now playing in England. Aaron Wightman was also in the team and we were very successful in a wide range of competitions. It was a great way to move through the ranks at the club and I’ve loved it so far.”
Johnny made his competitive first team debut as a 17-year-old at the start of last season in a 1-0 County Antrim Shield win at the Bet McLean Oval. It was a big game for the Glens as Ollie Webber, Harry Murphy, Terry Devlin also started for the first time with Kirk McLaughlin, Josh Stewart and Conor Haughey all debuting as substitutes. Of course Devlin (Portsmouth) and Haughey (Fleetwood Town) have since transferred to England since that night. Johnny spent the second half of last season on loan at Dundela where he was a first team first choice and made a big impression.
“Getting my debut so young was fantastic. I’ve been made very welcome in the senior squad. All the lads have been very helpful to me and have worked with me to help me develop and kick on towards a more regular place. Moko has been especially good with me. I’ve always looked up to him and as we play the same position he’s always been there to help and advise me. The management team have also been great with me and the other younger players.”
Since making his debut Johnny has made 8 more first team appearances and has definitely impressed the Glens supporters as he hasn’t once looked out of place at senior level.
“Now that I’ve settled into the first team squad and signed this new contract my short-term aim is to work hard and become a regular starter. I know I can do that and then I want to play my part in helping the club start winning trophies more regularly. That might lead to a move to England someday but now really all I want to do is focus on being a success and a trophy winner with Glentoran.”
Johnny isn’t the first member of the Russell family to don the green, red and black. His dad Jeff was a centre back who made a number of appearances for the first team in the very successful mid-80s before going on to play with Larne. “My Dad was a big influence on coming to the Oval and he’s driven me from Larne for training and matches since I was 9. He’s put a lot of miles into my football and I have so much to thank him for.”
Johnny and hid dad Jeff, former Glens centre back.
