Jack Russell's Cricket Career and Artistic Pursuits
Former England cricketer Jack Russell discusses his transition from the pitch to the art studio, his financial decisions, and his views on business rates.
Jack Russell, who spent 23 years as a batsman and wicketkeeper for Gloucestershire and earned nearly 100 caps for England, has transitioned from a career in cricket to one as an artist.
Russell, 63, was named one of Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1990. Before retiring from cricket in 2004, he had already established himself as an artist.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Russell stated that his parents, a welder and a cleaner, taught him the value of money, emphasizing that it was precious and hard-earned. His first job was a milk round over Christmas.
He decided to pursue a cricket career at age 13 and debuted in the first-class game at 17. His first professional contract with Gloucestershire at 18 was for £2,000 per season.
Russell's backup plan involved studying mechanical engineering, but he failed his math A-level, which allowed him an extended period with Gloucestershire. He recalls being paid "silly money" of £2,000 for a short cricket match in the mid-1980s to open the Metrocentre in Gateshead, at a time when his seasonal earnings were around £10,000.
He considers the late 1980s a financially strong period, earning £16,000 annually from Gloucestershire, £5,000 for winter tours with England, and an additional £24,000 from a bat sponsorship with Kookaburra. Upon retiring, his income was approximately £100,000.
Russell began his art gallery in the early 1990s, planning to transition to art full-time after his cricket career concluded. This foresight allowed him to leave cricket when he felt it was time, rather than out of financial necessity.
His best financial decisions include purchasing two Second World War Distinguished Conduct Medals for £2,000 each in the 1990s, which he later sold for £45,000 each. He also sold a collection of 135 military medals for £74,000. Another significant financial success was the purchase of an old coaching inn in Chipping Sodbury for £90,000 in 1994, which he recently sold for just under £1 million.
Conversely, his worst financial decision was buying a vintage 1969 Leyland tipper lorry for £10,000 about ten years ago, only to sell it for £5,000. He noted that the buyer could only afford £5,000, and while it was a poor financial move, he felt it was the right thing to do given the buyer's personal connection to the vehicle.
Russell owns his mortgage-free home in Dumfries and Galloway. He plans to pass down his assets, including artwork, to his five children.
He has a cricketers' pension but continues to work as an artist, painting cricket scenes, landscapes, and wildlife. He recently sold a cricket-themed painting, 'Always Look on the Brightside,' to Eric Idle of Monty Python fame. His most expensive artwork sold for £35,000 for a painting of the 1999 Cricket World Cup final, with his Ashes paintings selling for £25,000 each. He also sells many paintings in the £1,000-£5,000 range to make his art more accessible.
If he were Chancellor, Russell stated he would abolish business rates, which he believes are detrimental to high streets. He cited the prohibitive cost of this tax on commercial properties as a reason for selling his property in Chipping Sodbury.
His number one financial priority is to leave his children enough to sustain the gallery and support themselves and their grandchildren.