RUSSELL ENDS ON A EURO MISSION

Italy adventure is fitting finale for Rooks boss

TONY RUSSELL will bow out in style at Lewes – with a European adventure.

Russell announced he will be leaving the Isthmian Premier division side at the end of the season, along with assistant Joe Vines.

But first the pair will lead the Rooks to the Fenix Trophy Finals in Lake Garda, Italy, in June where they will take on fellow English Step 3 sides Enfield Town and FC United of Manchester, plus Prague Raptors, from the Czech Republic.

Russell, pictured below, led Lewes to an eighth placed finish this term – his third straight play-off near miss – and also took them to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup – their best run in over a decade.

He announced his departure after thehome game with Hashtag United last week, and led the team out for the last time in the league at Haringey Borough yesterday.

“This is not a kneejerk reaction to anything, in fact I made this decision before Christmas,” Russell said on X. “I’ve honestly loved my time at the club, it’s been one of my best footballing experiences to date.

“This isn’t about me going to another club because, as it stands, I don’t have a club for next season. This is about knowing when the time is right to move on, and that’s it.

“Joe and I are upset to be leaving and we are determined to finish on a high in the final two league games and, of course, in Italy for the Fenix Trophy Finals.”

● Ollie Cherrett has walked out as manager of Bashley – just hours before the season’s end.

Cherrett, a former playing favourite at the club, took up his first managerial role back in September after re-joining the club from neighbours Christchurch.

He led Bash to a comfortable mid-table place in Southern League Division One South, but discussions with the club’s board ahead of the final game of the season at Westbury United yesterday resulted in Cherrett resigning, along with coaches Chris Hart, Will Robinson, Craig Stanley and Max Frampton.

A statement read: “The club has accepted these resignations and would like to thank Ollie and his team for all their hard work.”

● Former Dulwich Hamlet boss Paul Barnes has left Corinthian-Casuals following a second successive relegation from Isthmian South Central.