Russell Phillips, Exeter-born but soon to move to Plymouth, was named to play in the Exeter City reserve team that played out a goalless Southern League draw against Bath City on 4 February 1939.

Educated at Mount Street junior technical school, he played for Plymouth Schools and later acted as player-secretary of the neighbourhood St Luke’s team in the Plymouth and District League. As of 1939 he was also turning out in midweek football most notably for Cattedown. He is also believed to have been on the books of Plymouth Argyle as an amateur at one stage.

Aged in his early twenties at the time of his association with Exeter City, and soon to be married following the outbreak of war, inside-forward Ruseell is recorded as playing wartime football for Leicester City - seven goals in eighteen games spread between 1942/43 and 1944/45 - whilst serving in the RAF.

Also representing Millwall during the war, Russell afterwards returned to Devon and signed for Torquay United early in 1946 and made 30 league appearances (3 goals) when Division Three South resumed in 1946/47. He made his debut against Exeter City on 31 August 1946 and scored in Torquay's 2-1 victory over the Grecians at Plainmoor on 28 December 1946.   

Russell, who lived into his eighties and died in the Weymouth area in 2000, later became player-manager of Paignton Corinthians (who he was keen to establish as a semi-professional side) before appearing for Dartmouth United in the early 1950s.