Russell Coughlin, originally an apprentice with Manchester City, joined Exeter City in 1993 during the latter stages of a near-600 game Football League career that had seen him play for Blackburn Rovers, Carlisle United, Plymouth Argyle, Blackpool and Swansea City. After appearing in nearly seventy league games for the Grecians, he saw out his professional career in the colours of Torquay United.

Starting his career with Manchester City in 1977 but failing to break into the first team, Russell joined Blackburn Rovers the following year where he was to make 24 league appearances in a  two-year stay. He then signed for Carlisle in October 1980 for whom he made 130 league appearances (13 goals) before moving to Devon to join Plymouth Argyle in July 1984. Totting up 131 league games (18 goals) during his time at Home Park, Russell moved to Blackpool in December 1987 where he featured in another hundred or so league matches. After a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town, he subsequently repeated the feat at Swansea City (his hometown club) between October 1990 and July 1993. 

Now thirty-three, Russell returned to Devon in July 1993 to sign for Alan Ball’s Exeter City. Quickly establishing himself in a team destined to struggle, Russell’s astute passing was clear to see as he made 68 appearances during what was a very difficult time for the club. Having played for three managers (Alan Ball, Terry Cooper and Peter Fox), and in a team that was relegated only to then finish at the foot of the Football League, Russell departed in October 1995 to sign for Torquay United. 

Making 25 league appearances for the Plainmoor club, to bring his career total to 586 (with 41 goals), Russell moved on to Dorchester Town at the start of 1996/97 before heading back to the Carlisle area where he briefly played for Gretna whilst working as a driver for the Royal Mail.

Russell Coughlin died in Carlisle on 4 August 2016 following a car crash when efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.