In the same weekend that Manchester City made history by winning the Champions League to complete an historic treble, former Torquay United midfielder Alex Russell captained England veteran's to their sixth seniors World Cup triumph.
Russell, 50, is still playing in Australia for Cairns-based side Leichhardt Lions, who play in the Queensland Far North and Gulf Premier Division, led a team containing several former Football League players to a 1-0 win in the final of the competition, held in Thailand, against Iran. His fellow squad members included former Plymouth Argyle duo Luke McCormick and Barry Hayles, ex Yeovil forward Lloyd Owusu and one-time Exeter City winger Lee Elam amongst others.
Their victory in the final came after the veteran Three Lions saw off Australia in the semi-finals with a 2-1 win - in which former Portsmouth and Derby County striker Deon Burton netted twice for England.
It was the third time that Russell has won the tournament, having previously won the competiton with England in 2016, 2017 and 2018. He spent four years with the Gulls between 2001 and 2005 and was part of the United side that won promotion to League One under Leroy Rosenior in 2003-04. Russell later had spells with Exeter City in the 2009-10 season and with Yeovil Town in the 2010-11 campaign.
