Russell hopes to sort out legal limbo

Waterford United goalkeeper Wayne Russell is hoping to sort out his court dispute with Derry City as soon as possible so he can continue his career.

Russell played his first game in over two years last Friday as the Blues drew 2-2 with Cork City and the 37-year-old hopes to keep his place for the rest of the season.

But there remains the outstanding problems with Derry City, who Russell joined in 2003 from Kildare County.

League rules prohibit a player from moving twice in the one season, meaning Russell could only join Derry on loan having previously moved from Waterford to Kildare, though Russell claims it was agreed that his move to Derry would be made permanent once the 2003 season finished.

Russell suffered a cruciate knee ligament damage on his Derry debut ruling him out for a year and the permanent move to Derry never happened leaving him in limbo last season before he joined Waterford.

“I had agreed to sign for Derry until the end of the 2004 season so it was only this year that I was free to play for anyone else,” said Russell. “I just want to get this over and done with so I can forget about it and get on with my career.”