FURIOUS Dean Whitehouse says Chris Russell will not play for Tividale again after he went AWOL just minutes before a game.

The diminuitive striker, more popularly known as Billy, drove off after finding out he had only been named on the bench for last Saturday’s game at Continental Star.

Russell had recently returned to Tivi for a third spell — a move publically defended by Whitehouse after he was criticised by some sections of the club’s support.

After Saturday’s walkout, Whitehouse says the player is no longer welcome.

He said: “You can’t have that at any level of the game.

“I’m the manager and I make the decisions on who plays and who doesn’t.

“If he isn’t happy then there are ways of going about things but you can’t walk out right before a game.

“He came out for the warm-up but then didn’t come back out with the rest of the subs. The physio told me had got into his car and driven off.

“He’s made himself look silly.

“All the committee are adament he won’t play for the club again and I totally agree with that.”

Whitehouse chose to start Avun Jephcott in a more advanced position after the midfielder turned down a move to Redditch United.

It was a decision which paid dividends as he set up Kyle Hill for the only goal of the game.

Rion Francis-Mills helped Dudley Town get back to winning ways with the only goal in their 1-0 win at Darlaston Town.

The striker, who has been on trial at Stourbridge, fired home midway through the second-half as the Robins halted a run of two straight defeats.

Town host Willenhall Town, who are managed by former boss Neil Perks, this Saturday at the Dell Stadium (3pm).

Dudley Sports made it three wins from four thanks to a 2-1 home victory over Wolverhampton Sporting Community.

Craig Tibbetts — who was the subject of a seven-day approach from Dudley Town last week, got his eighth of the season with Jack Moore also finding the net.