Alex Russell

[CP Gull]

Disappointed that we won't see Aggy back in a yellow shirt for one last hurrah, but I suspect his appearances on the field wouldn't have amounted to much more than cameos at 38 .... but even still! I also think he has the makings of an excellent coach too and was looking forward to him working with the likes of EOK in particular.

However, on the plus side it shows that Martin Ling is being "his own man" and has dispelled any fears that I may have had that he might have been a bit too accepting of having Oastler, Stevens and Russell foisted on him by the board. In many ways I think we were already "commited" to offering deals to Joe and Danny but in turning Alex down he has shown he will do things his way. I would imagine that ML will now be trying to fill the "void" with Craig Easton, perhaps even as a player/coach? It may well be that it came down to either Russell or Easton, but not both, and understandably perhaps Ling has gone for the player he knows best and it must be said one who (should he sign) could give us many more years service at just 32 years of age. Fingers crossed Ling can now persuade him (Easton) to make the move.

[Yellow4life]

Another message this morning: He just said he can't offer me anything! He blamed it on the board. But I know it was the board who really wanted me back!

Next time you talk to him- get screenshots please, not that I don't believe you

[stefano]

wouldn't surprise me to see him back in a management role sometime in the future, but i think it was always a romantic notion to see him back at the club, and probably not the right time for him or the club when you look at it properly. he'll always be welcome at plainmoor, whenever that may be.

Absolutely right it would be great to see him back in the future but not a second time as a player as when that happens it can often tarnish the memories of how good the player was the first time round.

I always remember Robin Stubbs. On his first spell with us he was our top league scorer in 5 of his 6 seasons (the only time he missed out was our promotion season when he got 17 but Tommy Spratt notched 2 penalty goals to push him one ahead on 18). Whilst his 5 goals against Newport County and 6 goals against Cheltenham Town were memorable he regularly hit 3 or 4. A brilliant entertaining player who scored goals for fun! He had several top clubs interested in him but in the end he was surprisingly transferred to Bristol Rovers who were in the same division as us and had finished 10 places below us the previous season.

3 seasons with Rovers then all United fans were delighted when he returned with Rovers still in the same division as us. His second spell was a different story though. In his first season 10 appearances and 0 goals, in his second season 11 appearances and 1 goal (perhaps romantically it was against Newport), and that was it. Game over!

Whatever Rovers had done to ruin such a brilliant player in only 3 seasons remains a mystery but the lesson is there, don't return for a second spell to a club where you were a hero the first time around!

[Sammyappz]

Heard he is signing for bath while taking up a job in the youth set up at Bristol city!

[Colorado Gull]

Disappointed that it seems Aggy isn't joining us. As like many others, I would of loved to see him back at Torquay (where he belongs!!) I'd of thought that he would do quite well if he came to us. But ne'er mind!

[yellow]

Oh Aggy. I miss you...!

[gulliver]

If it means we bring in decent younger player who can play more games its a good thing in my opinion. Russell was great for us but times move on and due to his age he would at best a bit part player... Something i don't think we can afford right now

[ferrarilover]

I'd like the opinion of Teeboo on this, please.

Matt.

[Rjc70]

If it means we bring in decent younger player who can play more games its a good thing in my opinion. Russell was great for us but times move on and due to his age he would at best a bit part player... Something i don't think we can afford right now

Bang on.

[Fonda]

Would agree he probably doesn't warrant a playing contract at this time of his career. And maybe he was holding out for that. Because if we are looking to bring in extra coaching staff, it's a shame he's not being brought in in that capacity.

[Modgull]

Devastated that my all-time favourite player is not coming back to us. I just hope that the Ling/Taylor combo works because at the moment I don't see much quality anywhere on or off the pitch

[teeboo100]

i never remember saying that he would sign for us ferrari my opinion is simple alex would have been a fans favourate signing cracking player in his day and obviously had alot to offer or yeovil would not have offered him another years playing contract. however i never thought he would sign its very hard to go back to a club where u had hero status and perform to the level you once had i remember jurgan klinsman going back to spurs for a 2nd spell 1st spell hero worshiped player of season fanstasic goalscoring he walked on water went back 2nd spell at the end of his time he wasnt even worth of a place on the bench it simply dosent work 1 thing 2 note lets hope chris mcphee goes the other way 1st spell utter garbage 2nd spell .............................

[happytorq]

Whatever Rovers had done to ruin such a brilliant player in only 3 seasons remains a mystery but the lesson is there, don't return for a second spell to a club where you were a hero the first time around!

Surely the lesson is "never move to Bristol Rovers, they'll mess up your career, oh, and by the way, they smell"?

[ferrarilover]

i never remember saying that he would sign for us ferrari my opinion is simple alex would have been a fans favourate signing cracking player in his day and obviously had alot to offer or yeovil would not have offered him another years playing contract. however i never thought he would sign its very hard to go back to a club where u had hero status and perform to the level you once had i remember jurgan klinsman going back to spurs for a 2nd spell 1st spell hero worshiped player of season fanstasic goalscoring he walked on water went back 2nd spell at the end of his time he wasnt even worth of a place on the bench it simply dosent work 1 thing 2 note lets hope chris mcphee goes the other way 1st spell utter garbage 2nd spell .............................

I am struggling with this, but I can make out the first line. I never said you did say anything of the sort. What I wanted was your opinion (which amounts to fact) on whether or not he was coming to us, or if he had decided to go else where. Also, and perhaps of greater general interest, was whether or not the club had spoken with him at all.

Matt.

[TUFC92]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13964692.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aggy talking about his return to Bath and his coaching.