Russell Anderson
Encyclopedia
Russell James Anderson (born 25 October 1978 in Aberdeen
, Scotland) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Championship
side Derby County
as a cente back. He spent the majority of his career playing for Aberdeen
in his native Scotland, whom he represented at international level
, before moving to England and playing for Sunderland
, Plymouth Argyle
and Burnley
.
area of Aberdeen
and attended Aberdeen Grammar School
. He began his career with local club Aberdeen
, and broke through the ranks to make his début in the first team in 1997; scoring his first goal for the club in 2000, in a 4–0 win over Hibernian
. He went on to establish himself as a rock at the heart of the defence. A solid, reliable centre-back, he became a real fans' favourite and amassed over three hundred appearances for Aberdeen.
In 2003, he was appointed club captain, a role he held for four years before departing the club for Sunderland in June 2007.
In the 2005–06 season
, he won the most league man-of-the-match awards from BBC Radio Scotland
's Sportsound
.
In 2006, Anderson celebrated ten years at the club with a testimonial match
against Everton
, a match where the Aberdeen fans showed their respect for his considerable ability and loyalty, with 12,000 fans attending the match. Despite Aberdeen leading 2–1, Everton won 3–2.
, signing a three-year deal.
Anderson made his first appearance for Sunderland in a friendly match against Italian side Juventus on 4 August 2007. He came on as a substitute at the Stadium of Light
with fifteen minutes of the match remaining. On 18 August 2007, he made his Premier League début as a substitute against Wigan Athletic
, where he gave away a penalty for a mis-timed tackle in a 3–0 defeat. This would prove to be his only Premier League appearance for Sunderland, as his next two years at the club would be blighted by injury. His second and last appearance for the club came against Luton in the FA Cup
on 28 August 2007. Anderson, making his full début, ruptured his ankle ligaments. After having reconstructive surgery, Anderson was ruled out for three months.
On 19 February 2008, Anderson joined Plymouth Argyle
on a one month loan, which was later extended until the end of the 2007–08 season. He made his début for Plymouth away to Southampton
on 19 February 2008, with Plymouth winning 2–0. Anderson went on to play in all 14 of Plymouth's final league games of the season during his spell at the club.
On 26 August 2008, Anderson joined Burnley
on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. He made his Burnley début on 30 August 2008 in a 0–0 draw against his former club Plymouth. Anderson played four consecutive league games for Burnley, but in his fifth game for the club, a League Cup
tie against Fulham
on 23 September 2008, he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
After spending 14 months out injured, Anderson finally made his comeback in a reserve
game against Wigan Athletic
on 1 December 2009. Anderson's contract was due to expire at the end of the 2009–10 season, and it was reported on 30 December 2009 that Sunderland were considering paying off the remainder of his contract, which would allow Anderson to sign on a free transfer for another club in the January transfer window. On 31 December, Anderson was reported to be in talks with Hibernian
and an "unnamed Championship club", later revealed to be Derby County
. Reports of Anderson leaving were confirmed on 14 January 2010, as Sunderland released Anderson from his contract.
announced that they had signed Anderson on a contract until the end of the 2009–10 season
. He made his début as a second half substitute in a 3–0 win at Peterborough United
the following day and appeared sporadically as a late substitute for the club over the next 8 weeks, behind the club's first choice pairing of Jake Buxton
and Shaun Barker
. He finally made his first start for the club in a 2–2 draw with Middlesbrough
on 16 March, in place of Buxton, and kept it for the rest of the season as Derby successfully fought off relegation. Anderson scored his first goal for Derby County, and his first in three years, on 17 April 2010 with the opener in a 1–1 draw against Crystal Palace
which ensured Derby were mathematically safe from relegation. Anderson impressed enough for Derby manager Nigel Clough to confirm his intention to offer Anderson a 2-year deal at the end of the 2009/10 season, seeing Anderson as one of four centre halves for the club's 2010/11 season alongside Barker, Buxton and Dean Leacock
. The deal was signed on 21 April 2010
Anderson started the 2010–11 season alongside Dean Leacock
in the centre of the Derby defence as they earned a 2–1 win at Leeds United before an injury sustained in training ruled him out for the next two months. He returned to action with a 60 minute appearance in the reserves 3–1 defeat at Rotherham United
. He returned to first team action as an 89th minute substitute the following Saturday against Preston North End
, winning a 93rd minute penalty which Robbie Savage
converted in a 3–0 Derby victory. He suffered a hamstring
injury soon after which ruled him out for another three months before picking up a calf injury in his rehabilitation to rule him out until mid-February 2011. He returned to the side on 2 April with a substitute appearance in a 4-1 defeat at Cardiff City
and featured in the remaining six games of the campaign with a further 3 starts and 3 substitute appearances. Following the end of the 2010/11 season, it was reported that Aberdeen had a move for Anderson accepted but the player rejected the chance of a move, preferring to remain at Pride Park. Anderson started the season in Derby's first team but was injured 35 minutes into the first game and missed the first month of the season. Upon returning to the side for a 3-0 win over Millwall
at the end of September, Anderson played a role in 7 of Derby's next 8 games, often employed at right-back in the absence of first choice John Brayford
. However, a hamstring injury sustained in a 3-0 home defeat to Cardiff City
saw him ruled out of action for two months.
on eleven occasions and was both a youth and under-21 international. He won his first cap against Iceland
in October 2002, coming on as a late substitute.
for the 2006/07 season. He was the only Scottish candidate for the award, and the only nominee playing for a club other than Celtic
, the SPL
champions. Anderson was also named in the Scottish PFA team of the year for the 2006–07 season.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
as a cente back. He spent the majority of his career playing for Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in his native Scotland, whom he represented at international level
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, before moving to England and playing for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
and Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
.
Aberdeen
Anderson grew up in the MannofieldMannofield
Mannofield is an affluent, middle class area of the City of Aberdeen, Scotland. The population of Mannofield is 17,987 . It is situated in the west end of the city and is accessible by travelling through the A93 Aberdeen - Perth road, the A90 Edinburgh to Fraserburgh road and the A96...
area of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
and attended Aberdeen Grammar School
Aberdeen Grammar School
Aberdeen Grammar School, known to students as The Grammar is a state secondary school in the City of Aberdeen, Scotland. It is one of twelve secondary schools run by the Aberdeen City Council educational department...
. He began his career with local club Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, and broke through the ranks to make his début in the first team in 1997; scoring his first goal for the club in 2000, in a 4–0 win over Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. He went on to establish himself as a rock at the heart of the defence. A solid, reliable centre-back, he became a real fans' favourite and amassed over three hundred appearances for Aberdeen.
In 2003, he was appointed club captain, a role he held for four years before departing the club for Sunderland in June 2007.
In the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in Scottish football
The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill...
, he won the most league man-of-the-match awards from BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland is BBC Scotland's national English-language radio network. It broadcasts a wide variety of programming, including news, sport, light entertainment, music, the arts, comedy, drama, history and lifestyle...
's Sportsound
Sportsound
Sportsound is BBC Radio Scotland's main radio sports show. It provides coverage to listeners on medium wave, FM, DAB Digital Radio and via the internet. It is best known for its exclusive live commentary of Scottish Premier League football games. It is broadcast 7 days a week, and on on-match days...
.
In 2006, Anderson celebrated ten years at the club with a testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, a match where the Aberdeen fans showed their respect for his considerable ability and loyalty, with 12,000 fans attending the match. Despite Aberdeen leading 2–1, Everton won 3–2.
Sunderland
Despite having stated his desire to remain at Aberdeen for the rest of his career, on 27 June 2007, Anderson completed a £1 million transfer to Premiership club SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, signing a three-year deal.
Anderson made his first appearance for Sunderland in a friendly match against Italian side Juventus on 4 August 2007. He came on as a substitute at the Stadium of Light
Stadium of Light
The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light has the fifth-largest capacity of any English football stadium. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. matches...
with fifteen minutes of the match remaining. On 18 August 2007, he made his Premier League début as a substitute against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, where he gave away a penalty for a mis-timed tackle in a 3–0 defeat. This would prove to be his only Premier League appearance for Sunderland, as his next two years at the club would be blighted by injury. His second and last appearance for the club came against Luton in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
on 28 August 2007. Anderson, making his full début, ruptured his ankle ligaments. After having reconstructive surgery, Anderson was ruled out for three months.
On 19 February 2008, Anderson joined Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on a one month loan, which was later extended until the end of the 2007–08 season. He made his début for Plymouth away to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 19 February 2008, with Plymouth winning 2–0. Anderson went on to play in all 14 of Plymouth's final league games of the season during his spell at the club.
On 26 August 2008, Anderson joined Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. He made his Burnley début on 30 August 2008 in a 0–0 draw against his former club Plymouth. Anderson played four consecutive league games for Burnley, but in his fifth game for the club, a League Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
tie against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
on 23 September 2008, he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
After spending 14 months out injured, Anderson finally made his comeback in a reserve
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
game against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 1 December 2009. Anderson's contract was due to expire at the end of the 2009–10 season, and it was reported on 30 December 2009 that Sunderland were considering paying off the remainder of his contract, which would allow Anderson to sign on a free transfer for another club in the January transfer window. On 31 December, Anderson was reported to be in talks with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and an "unnamed Championship club", later revealed to be Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. Reports of Anderson leaving were confirmed on 14 January 2010, as Sunderland released Anderson from his contract.
Derby County
On 15 January 2010, Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
announced that they had signed Anderson on a contract until the end of the 2009–10 season
Derby County F.C. season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season was Derby County's 111th season in the Football League. It is their 42nd season in the second division of English football and their second consecutive season in the second tier following an 18th placed finish in the previous campaign...
. He made his début as a second half substitute in a 3–0 win at Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
the following day and appeared sporadically as a late substitute for the club over the next 8 weeks, behind the club's first choice pairing of Jake Buxton
Jake Buxton
Jake Buxton is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Derby County.-Mansfield Town:Buxton came up through the youth system at Mansfield, winning the Youth Team Player of the Year award in 2002, and made his first-team debut in October 2002 in a Football League Trophy match...
and Shaun Barker
Shaun Barker
Shaun Barker is an English footballer who plays for Derby County as a defender, where he is also captain.-Rotherham United:...
. He finally made his first start for the club in a 2–2 draw with Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
on 16 March, in place of Buxton, and kept it for the rest of the season as Derby successfully fought off relegation. Anderson scored his first goal for Derby County, and his first in three years, on 17 April 2010 with the opener in a 1–1 draw against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
which ensured Derby were mathematically safe from relegation. Anderson impressed enough for Derby manager Nigel Clough to confirm his intention to offer Anderson a 2-year deal at the end of the 2009/10 season, seeing Anderson as one of four centre halves for the club's 2010/11 season alongside Barker, Buxton and Dean Leacock
Dean Leacock
Dean Leacock is an English footballer of Barbadian descent. He currently plays for Championship side Derby County, primarily as a centre back, but he can also play as a right back or a defensive midfielder....
. The deal was signed on 21 April 2010
Anderson started the 2010–11 season alongside Dean Leacock
Dean Leacock
Dean Leacock is an English footballer of Barbadian descent. He currently plays for Championship side Derby County, primarily as a centre back, but he can also play as a right back or a defensive midfielder....
in the centre of the Derby defence as they earned a 2–1 win at Leeds United before an injury sustained in training ruled him out for the next two months. He returned to action with a 60 minute appearance in the reserves 3–1 defeat at Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
. He returned to first team action as an 89th minute substitute the following Saturday against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, winning a 93rd minute penalty which Robbie Savage
Robbie Savage
Robert William "Robbie" Savage is a football pundit and former Welsh professional footballer who played predominantly as a midfielder. During his career he captained Derby County, and also played for the Welsh national team. He now presents 606 on BBC Radio Five Live on Sunday evenings alongside...
converted in a 3–0 Derby victory. He suffered a hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
injury soon after which ruled him out for another three months before picking up a calf injury in his rehabilitation to rule him out until mid-February 2011. He returned to the side on 2 April with a substitute appearance in a 4-1 defeat at Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
and featured in the remaining six games of the campaign with a further 3 starts and 3 substitute appearances. Following the end of the 2010/11 season, it was reported that Aberdeen had a move for Anderson accepted but the player rejected the chance of a move, preferring to remain at Pride Park. Anderson started the season in Derby's first team but was injured 35 minutes into the first game and missed the first month of the season. Upon returning to the side for a 3-0 win over Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
at the end of September, Anderson played a role in 7 of Derby's next 8 games, often employed at right-back in the absence of first choice John Brayford
John Brayford
John Robert Brayford is an English footballer who plays for Derby County as a defender.-Crewe Alexandra:Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Brayford started his career at non-league Burton Albion, where he made almost 80 league appearance, before signing for League One side Crewe Alexandra on a...
. However, a hamstring injury sustained in a 3-0 home defeat to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
saw him ruled out of action for two months.
International career
Anderson so far has played for the Scottish national sideScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on eleven occasions and was both a youth and under-21 international. He won his first cap against Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
in October 2002, coming on as a late substitute.
Awards
In November 2006, he won the Scottish Player of the Month award for the first time in his career. April 2007 saw him nominated for Scottish PFA Players' Player of the YearScottish PFA Players' Player of the Year
The Scottish Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in Scottish football...
for the 2006/07 season. He was the only Scottish candidate for the award, and the only nominee playing for a club other than Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, the SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
champions. Anderson was also named in the Scottish PFA team of the year for the 2006–07 season.