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Russell Penn

{{short description|English footballer}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Russell Penn

| image = Russell Penn 19-09-2015 1.jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Penn playing for York City in 2015

| fullname = Russell Anthony Penn{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/may-2017.ashx |title=List of players under written contract registered between 01/05/2017 and 31/05/2017 |publisher=The Football Association |format=PDF |page=8 |access-date=24 February 2018}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|11|8|df=y}}{{Hugman|24922|Russ Penn|access-date=24 February 2018}}

| birth_place = Dudley, England

| height = {{convert|1.80|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/russell-penn-20613/ |title=Russell Penn |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=24 February 2018}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Halesowen Town (manager)

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2001–2002

| youthclubs1 = Birmingham City

| youthyears2 = 2002

| youthclubs2 = Kidderminster Harriers

| youthyears3 = 2002–2003

| youthclubs3 = Scunthorpe United

| years1 = 2003–2005

| clubs1 = Scunthorpe United

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2005–2009

| clubs2 = Kidderminster Harriers

| caps2 = 147

| goals2 = 19

| years3 = 2005

| clubs3 = → Alvechurch (loan)

| caps3 = 4

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2009–2011

| clubs4 = Burton Albion

| caps4 = 81

| goals4 = 7

| years5 = 2011–2014

| clubs5 = Cheltenham Town

| caps5 = 105

| goals5 = 2

| years6 = 2014–2016

| clubs6 = York City

| caps6 = 100

| goals6 = 5

| years7 = 2016–2017

| clubs7 = Carlisle United

| caps7 = 1

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2016

| clubs8 = → Gateshead (loan)

| caps8 = 15

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2017

| clubs9 = Wrexham

| caps9 = 16

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2017–2018

| clubs10 = Gateshead

| caps10 = 40

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2018

| clubs11 = York City

| caps11 = 12

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2018–2019

| clubs12 = Kidderminster Harriers

| caps12 = 23

| goals12 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2007–2009

| nationalteam1 = England C

| nationalcaps1 = 8

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| manageryears1 = 2019

| managerclubs1 = Kidderminster Harriers (interim manager)

| manageryears2 = 2020–2024

| managerclubs2 = Kidderminster Harriers

| manageryears3 = 2024–

| managerclubs3 = Halesowen Town

| club-update = 19:10, 28 April 2019 (UTC)

}}

Russell Anthony Penn (born 8 November 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently manager of Halesowen Town.

He was appointed interim manager of National League North club Kidderminster Harriers in 2019 and was appointed as permanent manager in 2020. After guiding his side to promotion via the play-offs, he was sacked from his position in the club in January 2024 with Harriers then bottom of the table, 7 points from safety. On 27 February Penn was announced as the new manager of Halesowen Town, replacing Paul Smith, on a long term deal.

Club career

Born in Dudley, West Midlands{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=332}} into a sporting family (his father was a footballer with Halesowen Town and his younger brother Mike became a rugby union professional),{{cite web |url= https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-mike-penn-driven-success-his-relatives-football-1622894|title= Rugby: Mike Penn driven by success of his relatives in football |publisher=The Scotsman |date=11 June 2012|access-date=4 February 2022}}{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60168504|title= FA Cup: Behind the scenes with Kidderminster boss Russell Penn before West Ham tie |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2022|access-date=4 February 2022}} Penn began his career at Birmingham City in their youth system in July 2001.{{cite web |url=https://www.kidderminsterharriers.com/player.php?Player=123 |title=Russell Penn – midfield |website=St@tto's Kidderminster Harriers Site |access-date=23 January 2018}} He joined the youth system at Kidderminster Harriers in March 2002, and appeared in one youth team match against Wellington on 7 March before joining Scunthorpe United's youth system in July 2002.

He returned to Kidderminster Harriers on a free transfer in the summer of 2005; he had a short spell on loan at Alvechurch before breaking into the Kidderminster team.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

Penn joined newly promoted League Two club Burton Albion on 9 July 2009 on a two-year contract, for an undisclosed fee thought to be a club record.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burton_albion/8142397.stm |title=Penn joins Burton from Harriers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2009 |access-date=21 January 2017}} He scored his first goal for Burton on 15 August 2009 in a 5–2 win over Morecambe.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8199928.stm |title=Burton Albion 5–2 Morecambe |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2009 |access-date=27 May 2016}}

Penn signed for League Two club Cheltenham Town on 23 May 2011 on a two-year contract, after he rejected a new contract with Burton.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13503264 |title=Cheltenham Town sign Russell Penn and Marlon Pack |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 May 2011 |access-date=21 January 2017}} He scored his first goal for Cheltenham in an FA Cup second-round match away at Luton Town in December 2011, followed quickly by his second goal a week later in a home League Two match against Southend United.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

On 7 January 2013, Penn turned in a man of the match performance and scored the home team's goal (his third for Cheltenham) in a 5–1 FA Cup third-round defeat at the hands of Premier League team Everton.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20873564] Following the departure of club captain Alan Bennett in the January 2013 transfer window, Penn was named the new club captain by Cheltenham manager Mark Yates.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

Penn signed for Cheltenham's League Two rivals York City on 6 January 2014 on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10916090.York_City_confirm_signing_of_Cheltenham_midfielder_Russell_Penn/ |title=York City confirm signing of Cheltenham midfielder Russell Penn |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=6 January 2014 |access-date=21 January 2017}}

Penn turned down a new contract with York to join League Two club Carlisle United on 27 May 2016 on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36398912 |title=Russell Penn: Carlisle United sign York City midfielder |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2016 |access-date=27 May 2016}} On 22 September 2016, Penn joined National League club Gateshead on a one-month loan until 25 October, having only made two appearances for Carlisle.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle-utd/latest/article/Midfielder-Russell-Penn-has-joined-National-League-side-Gateshead-on-a-one-month-loan-08434a01-637d-4ccb-afb9-be1dccc30c96-ds |title=Midfielder Russell Penn has joined National League side Gateshead on a one-month loan |newspaper=News & Star |location=Carlisle |date=22 September 2016 |access-date=24 February 2018}} On 24 October 2016, the loan was extended until 26 December.{{cite web |url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2016/october/loan-midfielder-extends-stay-with-gateshead/ |first=Andy |last=Hall |title=Loan: Midfielder extends stay with Gateshead |publisher=Carlisle United F.C. |date=24 October 2016 |access-date=23 January 2018}}

On 13 January 2017, Penn signed for National League club Wrexham on a contract until the end of 2016–17,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wrexham-afc-sign-russell-penn-12447862 |title=Wrexham AFC sign Russell Penn |first=Rob |last=Griffiths |newspaper=Daily Post |location=Colwyn Bay |date=13 January 2017 |access-date=24 February 2018}} after leaving Carlisle by mutual consent.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle-utd/latest/article/Midfielder-Russell-Penn-leaves-Carlisle-Utd-by-mutual-consent-4e5e49fe-0693-4f99-aad9-f1598ee384b1-ds |title=Midfielder Russell Penn leaves Carlisle Utd by mutual consent |newspaper=News & Star |location=Carlisle |date=13 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017}}

Penn rejoined Gateshead on 11 May 2017 on a one-year contract,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39885467 |title=Russell Penn: Gateshead sign midfielder from Wrexham |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2017 |access-date=11 May 2017}} after turning down a new contract with Wrexham because of family reasons.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39876890 |title=Wrexham: Russell Penn rejects new contract but Chris Dunn stays |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2017 |access-date=11 May 2017}}

Penn re-signed for National League North club York City on 8 May 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/penn-first-new-arrival-summer |title=Penn first new arrival of summer |first=Ian |last=Appleyard |publisher=York City F.C. |date=8 May 2018 |access-date=8 May 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722141537/https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/penn-first-new-arrival-summer |url-status=dead }} Six months later he re-signed for York's National League North rivals Kidderminster Harriers on a free transfer, on a one-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/2018/11/09/penn-again-a-harrier/ |title=Penn again a Harrier |first=Matty |last=Paddock |publisher=Kidderminster Harriers F.C. |date=9 November 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018}}

Coaching career

In November 2019 he served as caretaker manager of Kidderminster for two matches, before being replaced by James Shan, for whom he worked as assistant.{{Cite web|url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2019/12/06/jimmy-shan-appointed/|title=Jimmy Shan appointed|date=6 December 2019|website=Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC}} When Shan departed to Solihull Moors on 11 February 2020, Penn was made manager of the club.{{Cite web|url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2020/02/11/jimmy-shan-departs/|title=Jimmy Shan departs|date=11 February 2020|website=Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC}} Penn was awarded the National League North Manager of the Month award for November 2021 after three league wins from three as well as success in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/trio-celebrate-november-national-league-north-acco-68589|title=Trio Celebrate November National League North Accolades|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=13 December 2021|accessdate=15 December 2021}} Penn won the award again for January 2022 after winning more points than anyone else across the course of the month as well as defeating Championship side Reading in the FA Cup third round.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/trio-celebrate-january-national-league-north-accol-69309|title=Trio Celebrate January National League North Accolades|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=7 February 2022}} On 5 February 2022, Penn saw his side take the lead against Premier League side West Ham United before a 91st-minute equaliser from Declan Rice took the game to extra time where Jarrod Bowen scored in the last minute to avoid a massive shock.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60266353|title=Kidderminster Harriers 1–2 West Ham United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 February 2022|accessdate=7 February 2022}} During the same season, Penn's Harriers side were in the mix for promotion for much of the season, however the team's form dipped during the last couple of months which saw the team's title hopes fade before being beaten 2-1 by Boston United in the Playoffs. The 22/23 season saw Penn's Harriers squad injury hit for sizeable parts of the campaign as they struggled for consistency. Penn bolstered his squad mid season, signing the likes of Christian Dibble, Kyle Morison and Joe Leesley. Harriers form improved greatly, Penn's side then won their last 6 league games, including beating Kettering Town 3-0 on the final day of the season, finishing in the play off positions as a result. Dreams then became a reality as Harriers beat Alfreton 1-0, King's Lynn 4-1 and then Brackley 2-0 to gain promotion back into the Conference. This saw Penn become the first manager at the club to gain promotion since Jan Molby in 2000.

Penn parted company with Harriers in January 2024 with the club bottom of the National League, having won 4 of their 28 league matches. On 27 February 2024 it was announced that Penn was back in football management, this time at Halesowen Town {{cite web |url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2024/01/07/russ-penn-leaves-harriers/ |title=Russ Penn Leaves Harriers |publisher=Kidderminster Harriers |date=7 January 2024 |access-date=7 January 2024}}

International career

Penn was capped eight times by England C, scoring one goal, from 2007 to 2009.{{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-77-0 |pages=1003, 1005, 1009}} Having been a regular member of the team for two years, he was named the England C Player of the Year for 2009.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/8104589.stm |title=Penn is England C player of year |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2009 |access-date=21 January 2017}}

Career statistics

{{updated|end of 2018–19 season}}

class=wikitable style=text-align:center

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan=2|Club

!rowspan=2|Season

!colspan=3|League

!colspan=2|FA Cup

!colspan=2|League Cup

!colspan=2|Other

!colspan=2|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan=3|Scunthorpe United

|2003–04{{soccerbase season|36465|2003|access-date=22 March 2016}}

|Third Division

|0

000000000
2004–05{{soccerbase season|36465|2004|access-date=22 March 2016}}

|League Two

|0

000000000
colspan=2|Total

!0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0

rowspan=5|Kidderminster Harriers

|2005–06{{cite web |url=http://www.cheltenhamtown-mad.co.uk/york_city/player/season_135/russell_penn_19325/index.shtml |title=Russell Penn season details 2005/2006 |website=Cheltenham Town Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414204507/http://www.cheltenhamtown-mad.co.uk/york_city/player/season_135/russell_penn_19325/index.shtml |archive-date=14 April 2016 |url-status=dead}}

|Conference National

|22

000colspan=2|—5{{efn|Three appearances and one goal in Football League Trophy, two appearances in FA Trophy}}1271
2006–07{{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2008 |year=2007 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |location=Kingsbridge |isbn=978-1-869833-57-2 |pages=118–119}}

|Conference National

|41

521colspan=2|—8{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}}1517
2007–08{{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2009 |year=2008 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-59-6 |pages=96–97}}
For FA Trophy first round: {{cite web |url=https://www.kidderminsterharriers.com/match/20071218 |title=Guiseley 1 (1) v (0) 2 Kidderminster |website=St@tto's Kidderminster Harriers Site |access-date=23 January 2018}}

|Conference Premier

|42

1130colspan=2|—5{{efn|Three appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference League Cup}}15012
2008–09{{cite book |editor1-first=Tony |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=James |editor2-last=Wright |title=Non-League Club Directory 2010 |year=2009 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-66-4 |pages=110–111}}

|Conference Premier

|42

341colspan=2|—3{{efn|One appearance in Conference League Cup, two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy}}1495
colspan=2|Total

!147||19||9||2||colspan=2|—||21||4||177||25

Alvechurch (loan)

|2005–06

|Midland Football Alliance

|4

1colspan=2|—41
rowspan=3|Burton Albion

|2009–10{{soccerbase season|36465|2009|access-date=7 January 2014}}

|League Two

|40

420101{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance in Football League Trophy}}0444
2010–11{{soccerbase season|36465|2010|access-date=7 January 2014}}

|League Two

|41

340101{{efn|name=FLT}}0473
colspan=2|Total

!81||7||6||0||2||0||2||0||91||7

rowspan=4|Cheltenham Town

|2011–12{{soccerbase season|36465|2011|access-date=7 January 2014}}

|League Two

|43

131103{{efn|name=1FLT2PO|One appearance in Football League Trophy, two in League Two play-offs}}0502
2012–13{{soccerbase season|36465|2012|access-date=7 January 2014}}

|League Two

|43

141103{{efn|name=1FLT2PO}}0512
2013–14

|League Two

|19

010201{{efn|name=FLT}}0230
colspan=2|Total

!105||2||8||2||4||0||7||0||124||4

rowspan=4|York City

|2013–14{{soccerbase season|36465|2013|access-date=28 December 2015}}

|League Two

|21

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—2{{efn|Appearances in League Two play-offs}}0230
2014–15{{soccerbase season|36465|2014|access-date=2 May 2015}}

|League Two

|45

220101{{efn|name=FLT}}0492
2015–16{{soccerbase season|36465|2015|access-date=30 April 2016}}

|League Two

|34

300201{{efn|name=FLT}}0373
colspan=2|Total

!100||5||2||0||3||0||4||0||109||5

Carlisle United

|2016–17{{soccerbase season|36465|2016|access-date=17 July 2017}}

|League Two

|1

0colspan=2|—001{{efn|Appearance in EFL Trophy}}020
Gateshead (loan)

|2016–17

|National League

|15

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—1{{efn|name=FAT}}0160
Wrexham

|2016–17

|National League

|16

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan=2|—160
Gateshead

|2017–18

|National League

|40

020colspan=2|—9{{efn|name=FAT}}0510
York City

|2018–19For FA Cup second qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/16897124.york-city-5-ashton-athletic-0-report-match-stats-and-player-ratings/ |title=York City 5 Ashton Athletic 0 report, match stats and player ratings |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=23 September 2018 |access-date=23 September 2018}}
For FA Cup third qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/16966258.york-city-3-st-ives-town-0-report-match-stats-and-player-ratings/ |title=York City 3 St Ives Town 0 report, match stats and player ratings |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=7 October 2018 |access-date=7 October 2018}}

|National League North

|12

030colspan=2|—colspan=2|—150
Kidderminster Harriers

|2018–19{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/russell-penn/36142/ |title=R. Penn: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=28 April 2019}}For FA Trophy third qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/17253953.report-harriers-exit-fa-trophy-with-york-defeat/ |title=Report: Harriers exit FA Trophy with York defeat |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=24 November 2018 |access-date=13 December 2018}}

|National League North

|23

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—1{{efn|name=FAT}}0240
colspan=3|Career total

!544||34||30||4||9||0||46||4||629||42

{{notelist}}

Managerial statistics

{{Updated|6 January 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|Nat

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="5"|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}

{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}

align=left|Kidderminster Harriers (interim manager)

|{{flagicon|England}}

|align=left|27 November 2019

|align=left|6 December 2019

{{WDL|2|0|1|1}}

{{cite web |title=Kidderminster Harriers FC: Matches |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/kidderminster-harriers-fc/746/|work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=13 January 2023}}
align=left|Kidderminster Harriers

|{{flagicon|England}}

|align=left|11 February 2020

|align=left|7 January 2024

{{WDL|161|67|41|53}}

|

colspan="4"|Total

{{WDLtot|163|67|42|54}}

!—

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category}}

  • [http://www.harriers.co.uk/teams/First-Team/Russ-Penn/ Profile] at the Kidderminster Harriers F.C. website

{{Kidderminster Harriers F.C. managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Penn, Russell}}

Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Dudley

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Birmingham City F.C. players

Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players

Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players

Category:Alvechurch F.C. players

Category:Burton Albion F.C. players

Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players

Category:York City F.C. players

Category:Carlisle United F.C. players

Category:Gateshead F.C. players

Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Midland Football Alliance players

Category:English Football League players

Category:English football managers

Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. managers

Category:Halesowen Town F.C. managers

Category:21st-century English sportsmen