Absolutely devastating news :-(
Over the last few years I’d gotten quiet friendly with him and his wife , usually chatted with him at length a couple of times a week regarding the Phoenix , football and life in general. He was a real charector and could be very straight up ,underneath it all he was a genuinely lovely guy and passionate as anyone I’ve ever met about the Phoenix. He always had an opinion on NZF or the Phoenix , he had some bloody hilarious yarns about the club and players and was always willing to give some top secret Phoenix news out.
RIP Russell I will miss our chats :-‘( thoughts are with his wife and family. Will be having a Stella or 2 for him at some point