Farewell to ‘one of the Glamorgan greats’

A PASSIONATE sports fan has been remembered as the driving force behind the transformation of Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens ground into an international cricket test match venue.

Welsh sport is in mourning following the death of Paul Russell, former Glamorgan cricket club chairman and Ebbw Vale RFC president.

The administrator spent the majority of his commercial career with Andersen Consulting, now Accenture.

But it was in sport Russell was better known. The lifelong supporter of Glamorgan Cricket became the chairman of the club in 2003 and set about the transformation of the ground ahead of the 2009 Ashes Test Match – a game which memorably went down to the last ball.

In July 2011 Russell stepped down from his position as Glamorgan chairman with immediate effect because of

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ill health. That month he was awarded the International Cricket Council Spirit of Cricket award in recognition of his service to the game. Barry O’Brien, Paul’s successor as chairman, said: “Paul Russell has joined the ranks of the Glamorgan greats. His passion, energy and commitment led to the redevelopment of the SSE Swalec as one of the finest test match venues.

“Paul had a great sense of humour, an encyclopaedic knowledge of cricket and a fantastic store of very funny stories. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his wife, Sarah, and his family at this difficult time.”

A native of Ebbw Vale and a rugby referee of some repute he was also renowned for his contribution to his hometown rugby club.

He and brother Marcus, the former manager of rock band Oasis, were instrumental in negotiating the set up of the new regional structure for Welsh rugby while with the Steelmen.

Ebbw Vale issued a statement praising Russell for the role he played after rugby union turned professional in 1995.

The Steelmen said: “His contribution to his home town club cannot be underestimated and will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends.”