Colin Bell (footballer, born 1946) facts for kids
Bell in 1969
|
|||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 26 February 1946 | ||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Hesleden, England | ||||||||||||
| Date of death | 5 January 2021 (aged 74) | ||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||
| Horden Colliery Welfare Juniors | |||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||
| 1963–1966 | Bury | 82 | (25) | ||||||||||
| 1966–1979 | Manchester City | 394 | (117) | ||||||||||
| 1980 | San Jose Earthquakes | 5 | (0) | ||||||||||
| Total | 481 | (142) | |||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||
| 1968 | England U23 | 2 | (1) | ||||||||||
| 1968–1975 | England | 48 | (9) | ||||||||||
| 1970–1974 | The Football League XI | 4 | (1) | ||||||||||
|
Honours
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Colin Bell (born 26 February 1946 – died 5 January 2021) was an English professional footballer. He played as a midfielder and is famous for his thirteen years with Manchester City. Many people think he was one of the club's best players ever. He was part of a famous trio with Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee in the late 1960s and 1970s. Colin Bell also played 48 games for the England national football team. He was part of the team at UEFA Euro 1968 and played in three matches at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.
Fans called him "The King of the Kippax" because of his amazing play. The Kippax was a famous stand at Manchester City's old stadium, Maine Road. He was also nicknamed "Nijinsky" after a famous racehorse, because he had incredible energy and could run all game. In 2004, the West Stand at the City of Manchester Stadium was named after him to honor his legacy.
Contents
Colin Bell's Club Career Highlights
Colin Bell started his football journey at Bury and quickly became the team captain. He played 82 league games for Bury over three seasons, scoring 25 goals. In 1966, he moved to Manchester City for £45,000. The assistant manager, Malcolm Allison, tricked other clubs by saying Bell wasn't very good, so City could sign him!
Rising to the Top with Manchester City
In the 1965–66 season, Bell helped City win the Second Division title. This meant the team was promoted to the top league, the First Division. Bell scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Rotherham that secured their promotion. In the next season, Bell was City's top scorer with 14 league goals. He even scored three goals in one game against Stoke City.
In the 1967–68 season, Bell helped City win their second League Championship. He scored 14 league goals that season. One of his goals came in a famous 4–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur. This game was called the "Ballet on Ice" because it was played in snowy conditions. After the game, a famous footballer named Dixie Dean said City's team was "the most brilliant side I have ever seen." In the last game of the season, City beat Newcastle United 4–3 to win the title. Bell helped set up one of the goals.
Winning Trophies with City
In the 1968–69 season, Bell scored 14 league goals again. Manchester City won the FA Cup that season, beating Leicester City 1–0 in the final. The next season, Bell scored eleven league goals. Manchester City and Bell won two more trophies in 1970: the League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup. City won the League Cup by beating West Bromwich Albion 2–1. They won the Cup Winners' Cup by defeating Górnik Zabrze 2–1.
In the 1971–72 season, City almost won the league title but finished fourth. Bell scored 13 goals that season. In the 1973–74 season, Bell helped City reach the 1974 Football League Cup Final. He scored a goal in the final, but City lost 2–1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bell also played in a famous 1–0 win against Manchester United. This game led to United being relegated from the top division.
Injury and Retirement
In November 1975, when he was 29, Bell seriously injured his right knee during a League Cup match against Manchester United. This injury kept him out of the game for a long time. City went on to win the League Cup that season, but Bell couldn't play in the final.
Bell returned to play in December 1977, and fans gave him a huge cheer. However, he left City in the 1978–79 season. The club's chairman, Peter Swales, said Bell was "irreplaceable." Bell tried to play again in 1980 for the NASL team San Jose Earthquakes. He played only five games before retiring from football completely.
Colin Bell's International Career
Bell played two games for the England Under 23 team in 1968, scoring one goal. Later that year, he played his first game for the senior England team against Sweden. England won 3–1, and a journalist said Bell "fitted in splendidly." Bell was part of the England squad for UEFA Euro 1968, where England finished third.
In 1969, Bell scored England's only goal in a 1–0 win over the Netherlands. He also played for England during a tour of South America. He scored an early goal against Brazil, but England lost 2–1. He also helped England win the 1968–69 British Home Championship.
Playing for England in the 1970 World Cup
Bell was chosen for the England squad for the World Cup in Mexico. England hoped to win the World Cup again, just like they did in 1966. To help players get used to the heat, the team had a mini-Olympics, and Bell won every event!
In the group stage, Bell came on as a substitute in a 1–0 loss to Brazil. He "added spark to the England offence" in that game. Bell then started in the next game, a 1–0 win against Czechoslovakia.
In the quarter-final, Bell came on as a substitute against West Germany. England had been leading 2–0, but West Germany scored three goals to win 3–2. Some people thought the substitutions England made, including Bell coming on, led to the loss. However, West Germany was known for making comebacks, and other factors were also important.
England's Qualification Challenges After 1970
Bell continued to play for England and scored in a 3–0 win against Wales in 1972. He also captained England in a game against Northern Ireland. Bell played in games against West Germany that meant England did not qualify for UEFA Euro 1972. In November 1972, Bell scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Wales in a World Cup qualification game.
In 1973, Bell scored in a huge 7–0 win against Austria. He also helped England win the 1972–73 British Home Championship. Despite these wins, Bell was sad that England failed to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. England needed to beat Poland to qualify, but the Polish goalkeeper played incredibly well, and the game ended in a 1–1 draw. This meant Poland qualified instead of England.
Bell scored two goals in Don Revie's first game as England manager, a 3–0 win over Czechoslovakia. A journalist said Bell's first goal was "one of the best I've seen at Wembley." Bell also helped England beat the World Champions, West Germany, 2–0 in 1975. Bell won his last cap for England in October 1975.
Other Special Matches
In January 1973, Bell played in a special match celebrating new countries joining the European Common Market. He played for the "New European Common Market" team, which won 2–0. In March 1974, Bell scored a goal in a 5–0 win for a team representing The Football League XI against the Scottish Football League XI.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from playing, Colin Bell became a coach for Manchester City's youth and reserve teams. He also became one of the club's special representatives. In 2004, he was given an MBE award for his contributions to the community.
Colin Bell passed away on 5 January 2021, at the age of 74, after a short illness. The day after his death, Manchester City players wore retro shirts with Bell's No. 8 on them for a game against Manchester United. City won the game, and manager Pep Guardiola dedicated the victory to Colin Bell and his family.
Colin Bell is seen as one of England's best midfield players ever. He has been honored in both the English Football Hall of Fame and the Manchester City Hall of Fame. In 1998, he was chosen as one of the Football League 100 Legends. Famous footballers like Bobby Charlton, Alan Mullery, Kevin Keegan, and George Best have all praised Bell's amazing skills.
In 2003, Manchester City moved to the new City of Manchester Stadium. In 2004, the west stand was named after Bell to honor him. Only three players have scored more goals for Manchester City than Colin Bell, who scored 152 goals in all competitions. Many people consider him the greatest Manchester City player ever.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bury | 1963–64 | Second Division | 10 | 2 | 10 | 2 | ||||||
| 1964–65 | Second Division | 42 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 45 | 13 | |||||
| 1965–66 | Second Division | 30 | 10 | 1 | 31 | 10 | ||||||
| Total | 82 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 86 | 25 | ||||||
| Manchester City | 1965–66 | Second Division | 11 | 4 | 11 | 4 | ||||||
| 1966–67 | First Division | 42 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 50 | 14 | |||
| 1967–68 | First Division | 35 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 43 | 17 | |||
| 1968–69 | First Division | 39 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 49 | 15 | |||
| 1969–70 | First Division | 31 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 48 | 21 | ||
| 1970–71 | First Division | 34 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 45 | 19 | ||
| 1971–72 | First Division | 33 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 14 | ||||
| 1972–73 | First Division | 39 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 48 | 10 | ||
| 1973–74 | First Division | 41 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 54 | 10 | ||||
| 1974–75 | First Division | 42 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 45 | 18 | ||||
| 1975–76 | First Division | 20 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 25 | 7 | |||||
| 1976–77 | First Division | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 1977–78 | First Division | 16+1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 20+1 | 2 | |||||
| 1978–79 | First Division | 10 | 0 | 1+1 | 1 | 3+1 | 1 | 15+2 | 1 | |||
| Total | 393+1 | 117 | 33+1 | 9 | 40 | 18 | 23+1 | 8 | 489+3 | 152 | ||
| San Jose Earthquakes | 1980 | North American Soccer League | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||
| Career total | 480+1 | 142 | 35+1 | 9 | 42 | 18 | 23+1 | 8 | 580+3 | 177 | ||
International Goals
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bell goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 June 1969 | Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro |  Brazil |
1–0 | 1–2 | Friendly match | |
| 2 | 5 November 1969 | Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam |  Netherlands |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly match | |
| 3 | 20 May 1972 | Ninian Park, Cardiff |  Wales |
3–0 | 3–0 | British Home Championship | |
| 4 | 15 November 1972 | Ninian Park, Cardiff | Wales |
1–0 | 1–0 | 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 5 | 26 September 1973 | Empire Stadium, Wembley |  Austria |
7–0 | 7–0 | Friendly match | |
| 6 | 30 October 1974 | Empire Stadium, Wembley |  Czechoslovakia |
2–0 | 3–0 | 1976 European Football Championship qualification | |
| 7 | 3–0 | ||||||
| 8 | 12 March 1975 | Empire Stadium, Wembley |  West Germany |
1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly match | |
| 9 | 24 May 1975 | Empire Stadium, Wembley |  Scotland |
3–0 | 5–1 | British Home Championship |
Honours and Awards
Manchester City
- Football League First Division: 1967–68
- Football League Second Division: 1965–66
- FA Cup: 1968–69
- FA Charity Shield: 1968, 1972
- Football League Cup: 1969–70, 1975–76
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1969–70
England
- British Home Championship: 1968–69, 1969–70 (shared), 1971–72 (shared), 1972–73, 1973–74 (shared), 1974–75
- UEFA European Championship third place: 1968
Individual Achievements
- Manchester City Player of the Year: 1968
- PFA Team of the Year: 1974–75 First Division
- Football League 100 Legends: 1998
- Manchester City Hall of Fame: 2004
- English Football Hall of Fame: 2005
- Manchester City Top Scorer: 1967, 1970 (shared), 1971 (shared), 1975
- Member of the Order of the British Empire
