When Johnny Russell joined Derby County in the English Championship in 2013, he knew he was entering hallowed ground.
Derby County was founded in 1884 and is one of the most historically successful clubs in England. Their fan base is as loyal as they come anywhere in world football and welcomed Russell to his new home immediately.
“I really loved my time there,” Russell, 28, said. “I knew I was joining a massive club when I went there in the first place, but I knew from Day One, the fans took to me and they were brilliant throughout my stay. Even now, I still get messages from them, the fans keeping tabs on me. There’s not a lot of clubs like that and I’ll always be thankful for the way I was treated there.”
The Rams were twice English League Champions when they hit their peak in the 1970s, led by star attacker Alan Hinton, a man who still remains an icon of the club.
“You always hear about the legends when you’re at clubs,” said Russell. “Alan was definitely one of those ones that you heard about. He’s well-respected at Derby and he’s a legend.
“I knew he was a direct player, but I haven’t actually seen any footage of him. I’ve heard some great stories about the runs and stuff he used to go on. That’s something that I’ll need to have a look at as well.”
Hinton spent eight seasons with Derby, scoring 63 goals in over 250 appearances and won several league championships. After retiring in 1978, he moved to North America and began a managerial career, one that led him to the helm of both the Seattle Sounders and the Tacoma Stars. Now 75, Hinton serves as an ambassador to the Sounders and maintains a strong relationship with Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, who played under Hinton in Tacoma.
When Sporting Kansas City announced this past offseason that they had signed the Scotsman Russell, Hinton was thrilled. He had been impressed with Russell’s play for Derby, where he racked up 30 goals in 182 appearances in his four-plus years, and was excited to see him bring his talents to Major League Soccer.
The Sounders will get their first glimpse at Russell on Sunday when they head to Children‘s Mercy Park to take on first-place SKC (1 p.m. PT; ESPN, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Russell has already enjoyed rapid success in MLS, recording two goals and two assists in his first six games, including the AT&T Goal of the Week last week against the LA Galaxy. When Russell takes the field this weekend, you can bet Hinton will be watching as a a little piece of his past is merged into this present.
“He doesn’t have to do that, but the fact that he has shown an interest is always great, especially when legends from teams that you’ve played for are keeping tabs on you,” said Russell. “It’s always a nice feeling. Hopefully, I’m doing enough to impress him.”
