Phil SumblerRussell Martin will come up against one of his former sides this weekend, as well as a former manager, when the Swans welcome Peterborough United to South Wales with the boss looking to ensure his side returns to winning ways following the disappointment of the Birmingham City game last weekend.
Martin captained Posh to promotion to the Championship during his time at London Road before heading off to join Norwich City, first on loan and then on a permanent deal.
Managing Peterborough at that time was Darren Ferguson and he believes that letting Martin go was his biggest regret in management.
“Letting Russ go is my biggest regret in management. He was an outstanding captain for us when we won promotion to the Championship the first time and one of the most consistent players in the team,” said Ferguson
“We didn’t start the following season very well, but I should have stuck with Russ rather than letting him go on loan to Norwich. It’s worked out great for him though and I couldn’t be happier for him because he is a top bloke as well as a very good player.”
Ferguson was also in charge of Peterborough when they sold another current Swan in Ryan Bennett to Norwich for a fee in excess of £3m.
“We didn’t want to lose him (Ryan),” added Ferguson “but we couldn’t deny him the opportunity to move on to such a good club.
Ferguson is, of course, back now at London Road for a third spell as manager following his initial spell and a further four year spell between 2011 and 2015. He returned to the club i January 2019 and led them to promotion last time around with Saturday being his 499th match in charge of Posh.
Ferguson added “Of all the players I’ve managed Russell is the one I always thought would become a manager. He was a great player for us and a great professional who went onto have an outstanding career.”
He was a very good and reliable right back that scored the odd important goal. The Norfolk Cafu we called him. Then crones disease seemed to remove an element of his athleticism and he moved to CB for a good few seasons. That was horrific for all involved and he became a chronic liability that tarnished his reputation. We all winced every time he was selected, aside from the happy clappers that believe professional sport is for fun, love and inclusivity that is (when it’s about success, nothing else). Ferguson didn’t miss much after the first 3 seasons in essence….quite the opposite.