Boreham Wood are delighted to capture the signing of Goalkeeper James Russell from Canvey Island for the 2012/2013 season.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, James was originally a schoolboy at Arsenal academy before signing for Chelsea at the age of fourteen.
He then went on to sign a two year apprenticeship at Chelsea before signing professional forms at aged nineteen. James become an International goalkeeper being called up by and representing the Republic Of Ireland under 21′s on two occasions versus Slovakia and Portugal respectively.
After five years and a combined total of 46 competitive matches for both Chelsea’s youth team and reserves, James joined Stevenage borough in the Blue Square Premier. In his first season at Stevenage, James missed out on the playoffs by one point. He was then loaned out to Ryman side Canvey Island where he helped push the club up the league which ended in a promotion via the playoffs.
With a new manager appointed at Stevenage and the arrival of two senior goalkeepers opportunities were extremely limited for James at the start of the 08/09 season. After couple of loan moves to Halesowen Town and Arseley Town respectively James completed a free transfer to Arseley where he made 36 appearances and helped the club avoid relegation on the last day of the season.
Having been managed by and trained with the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Mick Mcgiven, Don Givens, Mark Beeney, Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini, Henrique Hillario and Neil Sullivan, James has picked up a unique blend of styles and techniques which will stand him in good stead as he joins ‘Wood’ in the Blue Square Conference South.
Everyone at Boreham Wood would like to welcome James to the Club and hope his stay with us is a long and successful one.
