Colin Bell (footballer, born 1946)

Bell began his career at Bury where he was swiftly made club captain. In total, Bell made 82 league appearances for Bury (in three seasons) and scored 25 goals. In 1966, he moved to Manchester City (who were managed by Joe Mercer) for £45,000. When trying to sign him for Manchester City, assistant manager Malcolm Allison misled other clubs interested in Bell (including Leicester City{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lAccwoo_ZsC&pg=PP138|last=Banks |first=Gordon |date=2005 |title=Banksy: The Autobiography of an English Football Hero |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1405943208}}) by claiming that the player was "hopeless". Allison's stratagem succeeded as Bell ultimately signed for City. In the 1965–66 season, Bell helped City finish first in the Second Division, earning the team promotion to the First Division. Bell scored the only goal (via a header) in a 1–0 victory against Rotherham which ensured promotion.{{cite news|title=Colin Bell – a life in pictures|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2021/jan/06/colin-bell-a-life-in-pictures|first=Steven|last=Bloor|date=6 January 2021|access-date=6 January 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London}} In the 1966–67 season, Bell was City's top scorer with 14 league goals, and the team finished in 15th place in the First Division. Bell scored a hat trick in a 3–1 victory against Stoke City in April that season.{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sporting-heroes-colin-bell-1103449 |title=Sporting heroes: Colin Bell |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=13 August 2004 |access-date=23 October 2019}}

In the 1967–68 season, Bell helped City win their second League Championship (they had won their first in 1937). Bell scored 14 league goals that season. One of his goals came in the famous 4–1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, at Maine Road, which was dubbed the "Ballet on Ice" due to the snowy conditions in which the game was played.{{cite news |last=Liew |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/11170954/Manchester-City-begin-to-believe-they-can-claim-First-Division-title-after-trouncing-Tottenham-in-Ballet-on-Ice.html |title=Manchester City begin to believe they can claim First Division title after trouncing Tottenham in 'Ballet on Ice' |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 October 2019 }} Mike Summerbee, Tony Coleman and Neil Young scored City's other goals while Jimmy Greaves scored the goal for Spurs. After the game, legendary centre forward Dixie Dean informed Allison that the City team which had beaten Spurs was "the most brilliant side I have ever seen".{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xkfpjH_zE7oC&pg=PT139|last=Tossell |first=David |date=2009 |title=Big Mal: The High Life and Hard Times of Malcolm Allison, Football Legend |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=978-1845964788}} In the penultimate game of the season, Bell scored twice in a 3–1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. In the game, Lee and Summerbee stretched the Spurs defence allowing Bell a clear run at a slowing Dave Mackay which overwhelmed the Scotsman.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b5dlCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT162|last=Lawton |first=James |date=2016 |title=Forever Boys: The Days of Citizens and Heroes |publisher=Wisden |isbn=978-1472912428}} In the final game of the season, City defeated Newcastle United 4–3, to clinch the title. Bell assisted Lee with the "best pass of the afternoon" to score City's fourth goal.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/14/guardian-report-manchester-city-1968 |first=Eric |last=Todd |title=From the Vault: Manchester City's 1968 league title triumph |newspaper=Guardian |date=14 May 2012 |access-date=23 October 2019}}

In the 1968–69 season, Bell again scored 14 league goals as City finished 13th in the First Division. Manchester City won the FA Cup that season with a 1–0 victory over Leicester City in the final thanks to a goal by Neil Young.{{cite news|author=Geoffrey Green| title=Manchester City's sights set high|work=The Times|date=28 April 1969|page=6}} In the 1969–70 season, Bell scored eleven league goals for City, who finished tenth in the league. Manchester City and Bell won two trophies, in 1970, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup. City defeated West Bromwich Albion 2–1 in the 1970 Football League Cup Final, in which Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe scored City's goals.{{cite web |last=Lynch |first=David |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/top-five-manchester-city-comebacks-6394566 |title=Top five City comebacks |publisher=Manchester Evening News |date=11 December 2013 |access-date=21 October 2019 }} City defeated Górnik Zabrze 2–1 in the 1970 European Cup Winners' Cup Final with goals from Young and Francis Lee.{{cite web |last=Brennan |first=Stuart |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-citys-five-greatest-european-10573885 |title=Manchester City's five greatest European nights |publisher=Manchester Evening News |date=19 December 2015 |access-date=21 October 2019 }}

In the 1970–71 season, Bell scored 13 goals for City, who finished eleventh in the First Division. In the following season, City challenged for the title but ultimately lost out to Derby County and finished fourth in the league. Bell scored 13 goals that season. In the 1972–73 season, City finished eleventh in the league. In the 1973–74 season, Bell helped City reach the 1974 Football League Cup Final, in which he scored in a 2–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/03/02/classic-match-manchester-city-1-wolves-2-league-cup-final-march-2-1974-draft/|title=Classic Match Manchester City 1 Wolves 2 League Cup Final March 2 1974|website=Express and Star.com|date=2 March 2015 }} Bell played for City in a 1–0 victory against Manchester United in the final game of the season. Denis Law scored the only goal in the game which confirmed United's relegation from the First Division.{{cite news|title=United v City: Noisy neighbours, 'Why Always Me?' and other Old Trafford memories|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/united-v-city-noisy-neighbours-why-always-me-and-other-old-trafford-memories|date=7 December 2017|access-date=6 January 2021|magazine=FourFourTwo}} In the 1974–75 season, Bell scored 15 league goals. He was named in the 1974–75 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year. In November 1975, at the age of 29, Bell severely injured his right knee against Manchester United in a challenge with Martin Buchan during a League Cup match at Maine Road.{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/colin-bell-tackle-that-ended-glorious-1089072 |title=Colin Bell: Tackle that ended glorious career |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=26 October 2005 |access-date=21 October 2019}} City went on to win the League Cup that season, defeating Newcastle 2–1 in the 1976 Football League Cup Final. Bell's prolonged absence due to his injury was a blow to Don Revie, who quit as manager of England in 1977.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RWoIUvmIXxYC&pg=PT124|last=Mourant |first=Andrew |date=1990 |title=Don Revie: Portrait of a Footballing Enigma |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=978-1851583423}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vGUyCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT55|last=Winter |first=Henry |date=2017 |title=Fifty Years of Hurt: The Story of England Football and Why We Never Stop Believing |publisher=Black Swan |isbn=978-1784161729}} Bell returned to action in a 4–0 victory against Newcastle on Boxing Day in 1977. His introduction to the game, at half time, was greeted with rapturous applause.{{cite web |last=Curtis |first=Simon |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/name/93/post/1846970/headline |title=Christmas Memory Matches – Part 1 |publisher=ESPN |date=19 December 2013 |access-date=21 October 2019 }} However, Bell's return to City was fleeting as he left City in the 1978–79 season. Malcolm Allison, who returned to City for a second spell as manager in 1979, convinced Bell that it was time to go. The then-chairman Peter Swales described Bell as the "finest tuned athlete" and "irreplaceable".{{cite AV media |people=BBC |date=1993 |title=Soccer Legends: Lee, Bell, Summerbee |medium=VHS |publisher=BBC}} This latter sentiment turned out to be true as Allison was not able to find a trio of talented players of the calibre of Bell, Summerbee and Lee as he had done in the past with Joe Mercer. Bell's testimonial took place in December 1978 and involved a Manchester team combining players from both Manchester City (such as Joe Corrigan, Willie Donachie, David Watson, Gary Owen, Asa Hartford and Peter Barnes) and Manchester United (such as Brian Greenhoff, Martin Buchan, Steve Coppell and Joe Jordan) and a Merseyside team combining players from both Liverpool (such as Ray Clemence, Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness) and Everton (such as Mick Lyons and Bob Latchford).{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Peter Kenny |url=https://peterkj.wixsite.com/football-historian/post/2018/03/12/merseyside-vs-manchester-published-in-issue-6-of-the-black-watch |title=Merseyside vs. Manchester (Published in Issue 6 of The Black Watch) |publisher=peterkj |date=12 March 2018 |access-date=18 December 2022 }} A crowd of 23,936 watched the game.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4JDgDwAAQBAJ&dq=colin+bell+testimonial&pg=PT221 |last=Clayton |first=David |title=Manchester City On This Day |publisher=Pitch |year=2012 |isbn=9781909178052}} The Manchester team won 2–1. Bell tried to resurrect his career in 1980 with NASL side San Jose Earthquakes, where he joined former Manchester United player George Best.{{cite book |last=Redknapp |first=Harry |date=2014 |title=Always Managing: My Autobiography |publisher=Ebury Press |page=243|isbn=978-0091958312}} However, Bell ended up playing only five games for the club before retiring from football altogether.{{cite news|title=Manchester City's title-winning great Colin Bell dies at 74|url=https://apnews.com/article/england-international-soccer-manchester-coronavirus-pandemic-9c0b0109c01bacd4ad450a9af9705c79|date=5 January 2021|access-date=5 January 2021|work=Associated Press}}

Bell played twice for the England Under 23 team in 1968. He played in a 2–1 victory against Scotland Under 23 team in which Martin Chivers and Rodney Marsh scored for the England Under 23 team.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-u23-intres-det.html |title=England – U-23 International Results- Details |access-date=23 October 2019 }} He also played in a 4–0 victory against the Hungary Under 23 team. Bell scored one of the four goals. The other scorers were Chivers, Marsh and Joe Royle. In the same year, Bell was selected for the senior England squad for a match against Spain, in May, but was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.{{cite news |date=5 May 1968 |title=HOW BAD IS IT ? Tragedy threatens England and Manchester City as Colin Bell goes down with an ankle injury |work=Sunday Mirror}} Bell was replaced by Peter Thompson.{{cite news |date=6 May 1968 |title=THOMPSON IN FOR INJURED BELL |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph}} Later in the same month, Bell won his first cap for the senior England team against Sweden, where he helped inspire goals from Martin Peters, Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt in a 3–1 victory.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1967-68/M0422Swe1968.html |title=England 3 Sweden 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=18 October 2019 }} One journalist stated that Bell 'revealed high promise and fitted in splendidly'.{{cite news |date=25 May 1968 |title=England 3 Sweden 1 |work=Sports Argus}} Bell won his second cap in a 1–0 defeat to West Germany in which Brian Labone scored an own goal.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1967-68/M0423WGr1968.html |title=West Germany 1 England 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 December 2022 }} Bell was part of the England squad for UEFA Euro 1968, which was ultimately won by Italy. England finished third in the tournament after defeating the Soviet Union in the third-place match.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1967-68/M0425Usr1968.html |title=England 2 USSR 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=23 October 2019 }}

In 1969, Bell distinguished himself in the national team, scoring England's only goal in a 1–0 victory over the Netherlands in an "all-action display".{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1969-70/M0436Ned1969.html |title=Netherlands 0 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell was part of the England squad which toured South America in 1969. Brian Glanville contended that both Bell and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alan Mullery excelled on the tour.{{sfn|Glanville|2010|p=166}} Bell gave England an early lead in a game against Brazil, but late goals from Tostão and Jairzinho gave Brazil a 2–1 victory.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1968-69/M0435Bra1969.html |title=Brazil 2 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }}{{cite news |date=13 June 1969 |title=Bell Strikes Then England Slip Up |work=Reading Evening Post}} Bell also played in a 2–1 victory against Uruguay on the tour.{{cite web |last=Pollard |first=Rob |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2099662-ranking-the-5-greatest-england-vs-uruguay-clashes#slide0 |title=Ranking the 5 Greatest England vs. Uruguay Clashes |publisher=Bleacher Report |access-date=21 October 2019 }} He also helped England to win the 1968–69 British Home Championship. He played in a 2–1 victory against Wales{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1968-69/M0431Wal1969.html |title=England 2 Wales 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=21 October 2019 }} in which Bobby Charlton and Francis Lee scored England's goals.

Bell played in the 1969–70 British Home Championship, which was shared between England, Wales and Scotland. He replaced Keith Newton in a 3–1 victory against Northern Ireland.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1969-70/M0441NIr1970.html |title=England 3 Northern Ireland 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=21 October 2019 }} He was subsequently included in the England squad for the World Cup in Mexico. Glanville contends that Bell's excellence was threatening Bobby Charlton's place in the England team.{{sfn|Glanville|2010|p=172}} England were seeking to replicate their performance in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, which they had won. Bell's City teammate Francis Lee was also included in the squad. In order to help the players acclimatise to the heat of Mexico, the team staged an intra-squad mini-olympics which saw Bell win every event.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0iPUBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT137|last=Bowler |first=Dave |date=2000 |title=Three Lions on the Shirt: Playing for England |publisher=Orion |isbn=978-0752837055}} In the group stage, Bell came on as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Brazil, in which Jairzinho scored the only goal. Bell "added spark to the England offence in the latter stages" of the game.{{cite web |last=Garganese |first=Carlo |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/11/13/1621056/world-cup-1970-player-ratings-brazil-1-0-england |title=World Cup 1970 Player Ratings: Brazil 1–0 England |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell started in the next game, a 1–0 victory against Czechoslovakia, in which Allan Clarke scored the only goal.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1969-70/M0447Cze1970.html |title=Czechoslovakia 0 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=21 October 2019 }}

In the quarter-final, Bell replaced Bobby Charlton in a 2–3 defeat to West Germany.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1960-70/1969-70/M0448WGr1970.html |title=West Germany 3 England 2 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=21 October 2019 }} England had taken a 2–0 lead in the game through goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters. Franz Beckenbauer had pulled a goal back for West Germany before the substitution. Following the substitution of Charlton and another substitution (Peters was replaced by Norman Hunter), the Germans scored twice (Uwe Seeler and Gerd Müller were the scorers). Bell was involved in creating chances for England following his introduction. At one point in the game, Bell sent in a low cross to the near post, but Hurst headed the ball just wide of the far one.{{cite news |last=Glanville |first=Brian |title=Alan Ball Obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/apr/25/guardianobituaries.football |work=Guardian |date=25 April 2007 |access-date=24 October 2019}}{{cite book |last=Leatherdale |first=Clive |date=2006 |title=England's Quest for the World Cup: A Complete Record, 1950–2006 |publisher=Desert Island Books Limited |page=99|isbn=978-1905328161}} At another point in the game, Bell beat Beckenbauer in the German penalty area and was then knocked down by the German player, but England were not awarded a penalty.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/01/06/colin-bell-king-kippax-shrewd-footballer-dignified-leader/|title=Colin Bell: King of the Kippax – A shrewd footballer, dignified leader and a player 20 years ahead of his time|first=Jim|last=White|date=6 January 2021|access-date=6 January 2021|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}} {{subscription required}} The substitution was deemed by some to be the negative (for England) turning point of the game. However, West Germany scored their first goal before Charlton was substituted,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OSpmBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT105|last=Morris |first=Jim |date=2014 |title=The Team of '66 England's World Cup Winners |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=978-1445636665}} and the fact that the German team at the time had a habit of coming back in games indicates that it was questionable to blame the substitutions for England's defeat. West Germany were subsequently defeated by Italy 4–3 in the semi-final. Italy were eventually defeated 4–1 by Brazil in the final. Charlton asserted that the absence of Gordon Banks (he was replaced in goal by Peter Bonetti) through sickness was the most important factor in England's defeat to the West Germans.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N9jiBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT195|last=Charlton |first=Bobby |date=2014 |title=My England Years |publisher=Headline Publishing |isbn=978-1472227072}} Similarly, Glanville argued that "had Banks played, England would surely have won".{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CXP5AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT95|last=Glanville |first=Brian |date=2008 |title=England Managers |publisher=Headline |isbn=978-0755316526}} Geoff Hurst stated that "to suggest that Colin Bell's inclusion weakened the team is patently unfair".{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qrWTBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT190|last=Hurst |first=Geoff |date=2016 |title=Geoff Hurst's Greats: England's 1966 Hero Selects His Finest Ever Footballers |publisher=Icon Books |isbn=978-1785780509}} Alan Ball described the substitutions as wise given the need to rest players for the prospective semi-final.{{cite book |last=Ball |first=Alan |date=2005 |title=Playing Extra Time |publisher=Pan |page=99|isbn=978-0330427425}}

Bell also played for England in the 1971–72 British Home Championship which was shared with Scotland. Bell scored in a 3–0 victory against Wales (with Rodney Marsh and Emlyn Hughes scoring England's other goals).{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1971-72/M0461Wal1972.html |title=Wales 0 England 3 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell also captained England (in Bobby Moore's absence) in a 1–0 defeat to Northern Ireland.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1971-72/M0462NIr1972.html |title=England 0 Northern Ireland 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }}{{cite news |date=23 May 1972 |title=Colin Bell leads England against Irish to-night |work=Belfast Telegraph}} In addition, Bell played in a 1–0 victory over Scotland (in which Alan Ball scored the winner).{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1971-72/M0463Sco1972.html |title=Scotland 0 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell also played in a 3–1{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1971-72/M0459WGr1972.html |title=England 1 West Germany 3 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} defeat and a 0–0 draw{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1971-72/M0460WGr1972.html |title=West Germany 0 England 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} with West Germany in 1972, which meant that England failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 1972. In the first game, Sepp Maier had spilled a shot from Bell which Lee tapped in to equalise Uli Hoeneß' first half goal.{{cite news|title=Lessons of history favour Germany|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/lessons-of-history-favour-germany-1338772.html|first=Ken|last=Jones|date=25 June 1996|access-date=6 January 2021|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}} However, late goals from Günter Netzer and Gerd Müller secured victory for the West Germans. In November 1972, Bell "cashed in on clever approach work by Alan Ball to score the decisive winning goal" in a 1–0 victory over Wales in a World Cup qualification game at Ninian Park.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1972-73/M0465Wal1972.html |title=Wales 0 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell played in the other qualification game against Wales at Wembley, which ended 1–1.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1972-73/M0466Wal1973.html |title=England 1 Wales 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=23 October 2019 }} Bell was described as having 'excellent technique' and rated as the 'best England player' in the game as he 'was always trying to find a way through the packed Welsh defence'.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Harry |date=25 January 1973 |title=Tough Fight For England-Alf |work=Daily Mirror}}

In 1973, Bell scored in the 7–0 demolition of Austria. In the game Bell, along with Martin Peters and Tony Currie "dictated the pace and pattern of the match from midfield".{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0475Aut1973.html |title=England 7 Austria 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell also helped England to win the 1972–73 British Home Championship. He played in a 2–1 victory against Northern Ireland,{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1972-73/M0468NIr1973.html |title=Northern Ireland 1 England 2 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} a 3–0 victory against Wales{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1972-73/M0469Wal1973.html |title=England 3 Wales 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} and a 1–0 victory against Scotland.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1972-73/M0470Sco1973.html |title=England 1 Scotland 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Despite these successes, Bell was upset that he was unable to better make his name on the world stage when England failed to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. England had needed to defeat Poland to qualify.{{cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10376209/England-v-Poland-clown-Jan-Tomaszewski-has-the-last-laugh-40-years-on.html|title= England v Poland: 'clown' Jan Tomaszewski has the last laugh 40 years on|date=13 October 2013|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=15 October 2013}}

Poland's goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski had been labelled "a clown" by Brian Clough before the match but turned in a man-of-the-match performance in which he repeatedly denied England's attackers (including Bell). The only goal that Tomaszewski conceded was an equalizing penalty from Allan Clarke.{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/12/jan-tomaszewski-poland-clown|title= Jan Tomaszewski: A man haunted for ever after being called a clown|date=13 October 2013|work=Guardian UK|access-date=15 October 2013}} In drawing the game, Poland qualified for the finals in West Germany at the expense of England.{{cite news|last=Bevan |first=Chris |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24445822 |title=BBC Sport – England v Poland 1973: When Clough's 'clown' stopped England |work=BBC Sport |access-date=14 October 2013}} England's failure led to manager Alf Ramsey's departure.{{cite news| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-how-it-always-ends-in-tears-1068270.html| title = Football: How it always ends in tears| work = The Independent| access-date = 21 September 2010| date = 2 February 1999| author = Phil Shaw| location = London| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109032953/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-how-it-always-ends-in-tears-1068270.html| archive-date = 9 November 2012| url-status = live| df = dmy-all}} Bell's former manager at Manchester City, Joe Mercer (who had left City in 1971), took over as caretaker of the national side and chose Bell to play in every game that he was in charge.{{cite news|title=Goal.com's Top 50 English Players: Colin Bell (26)|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/2274/goalcoms-top-50-english-players/2009/05/21/1277915/goalcoms-top-50-english-players-colin-bell-26|first=Peter|last=Staunton|access-date=5 January 2021|publisher=Goal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612232952/https://www.goal.com/en/news/2274/goalcoms-top-50-english-players/2009/05/21/1277915/goalcoms-top-50-english-players-colin-bell-26|archive-date=12 June 2018}}

Bell also played for England in the 1973–74 British Home Championship which was shared with Scotland. Bell played in a 2–0 victory against Wales (in which Stan Bowles and Kevin Keegan were the scorers),{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0479Wal1974.html |title=Wales 0 England 2 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} a 1–0 victory against Northern Ireland{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0480NIr1974.html |title=England 1 Northern Ireland 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} and a 2–0 defeat to Scotland.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0481Sco1974.html |title=Scotland 2 England 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell played for England in a 2–2 draw against Argentina in which Mick Channon and Frank Worthington scored for England and Mario Kempes scored twice for Argentina.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0482Arg1974.html |title=England 2 Argentina 2 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} He was also part of the England squad that toured Eastern Europe in the summer of 1974. This included a 1–1 draw with East Germany, in "which Martin Dobson, (Colin) Bell and Trevor Brooking dominated the match in midfield".{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0483Gdr1974.html |title=GDR (East Germany) 1 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} In the second game of the tour, England defeated Bulgaria 1–0.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0484Bul1974.html |title=Bulgaria 0 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} The performance of England's midfield trio (Bell, Brooking and Dobson) in the game was described as "tremendous".{{cite news |date=2 June 1974 |title=Fabulous |work=Sunday Independent}} In the last game of the tour (which was Mercer's last game as England manager), England drew 2–2 with Yugoslavia.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1973-74/M0485Yug1974.html |title=Yugoslavia 2 England 2 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }}

Bell scored a brace in Don Revie's first game in charge of England, a 3–0 victory over Czechoslovakia.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1974-75/M0486Cze1974.html |title=England 3 Czechoslovakia 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }}{{cite news |date=31 October 1974 |title=A flying start for Don |work=Liverpool Echo}}{{cite news |date=31 October 1974 |title=Bell tolls for Czechs |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal}} Bell was described as 'one of the outstanding successes for England in their European Championship game with Czechoslovakia at Wembley'.{{cite news |date=19 November 1974 |title=Back to Reality for Bell |work=Liverpool Echo}} A Daily Mirror journalist described Bell as the 'man of the match'.{{cite news |date=31 October 1974 |title=Don Pulls the Strings |work=Daily Mirror}}

One journalist described 'Bell's first goal as one of the best I've seen at Wembley. It began with a superb 30-yard pass through the Czech defence by Channon and Bell, running like an antelope, slid the ball past the goalkeeper'.{{cite news |date=8 November 1974 |title=ENGLAND NEED YOUR SUPPORT |work=Fulham Chronicle}} In Revie's third game in charge, Bell helped England defeat the then World Champions, Germany, 2–0, in 1975, at the one hundredth international game played at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1974-75/M0488WGr1975.html |title=England 2 West Germany 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} The team that beat the Germans in that game consisted of a forward line-up of Channon, Keegan, Malcolm Macdonald, Alan Hudson and Alan Ball, as well as Bell. Channon commented that he did not understand why Revie did not continue with this line-up which he considered was as good as any forward line England had had since 1970.{{Cite book|first=Richard|last=Sutcliffe|year=2010|title=Revie – Revered and Reviled|publisher=Great Northern|page=239|isbn=978-1905080-78-6}} In the game against the West Germans, the energy and tackling of Bell and Ball had freed Hudson to show his full range of playmaking skills.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K2KsCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT229|last=Holt |first=Nick |date=2016 |title=The Periodic Table of FOOTBALL |publisher=Ebury Press |isbn=978-1785031816}} Bell also helped England to win the 1974–75 British Home Championship. Bell played in a 0–0 draw with Northern Ireland,{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1974-75/M0491NIr1975.html |title=Northern Ireland 0 England 0 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} and a 5–1 victory against Scotland (in which he also scored).{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1974-75/M0493Sco1975.html |title=England 5 Scotland 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} Bell was rested for the game with Wales, which ended in a 2–2 draw.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1974-75/M0492Wal1975.html |title=England 2 Wales 2 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }}{{cite news |date=21 May 1975 |title=Revie's Night for a Gamble |work=Liverpool Echo}} One journalist commenting about Bell's absence before that game stated that 'England will undoubtedly miss the non-stop running and 100 per cent effort of the consistent Colin Bell'.{{cite news |date=21 May 1975 |title=Support |work=Reading Evening Post}} Bell won his last cap in a 2–1 defeat to Czechoslovakia in October 1975.{{cite web |last=Giller |first=Norman |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1970-80/1975-76/M0495Cze1975.html |title=Czechoslovakia 2 England 1 |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 December 2022 }} Bell was named in the provisional squad for the 1975–76 British Home Championship but was unable to feature due to injury.{{cite news |date=29 April 1976 |title=Tueart and Bell axed |work=Belfast Telegraph}}

In January 1973, Bell played for the New European Common Market (NECM), alongside Peter Storey, Emlyn Hughes, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Alan Ball, in the match celebrating the admission to the European Common Market of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark. NECM defeated the Old European Common Market (OECM) 2–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsRepTms.html |title=England Player Honours – International Representative Teams |publisher=England Football Online |access-date=17 October 2019 }} In addition, in March 1974, Bell scored a goal in a 5–0 victory for The Football League XI against the Scottish Football League XI at Maine Road.{{cite web |url=https://www.londonhearts.com/SFL/tea/englishfootballleague.html |title=England Football League |publisher=LondonHearts.com |access-date=17 October 2019 }}

Bell subsequently became a coach for the youth and reserve teams of Manchester City, as well as one of its club ambassadors. He was awarded an MBE in 2004 for services to the community.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4137023.stm |title=Man City legend Bell gets MBE |publisher=BBC |date=31 December 2004 |access-date=17 October 2019 }}

Bell was diagnosed with bowel cancer shortly after his autobiography, Reluctant Hero, was released in 2005. He detailed how his mother died from that same disease and was encouraged to have it examined himself. He was operated on within three weeks of the diagnosis. He died on 5 January 2021 at the age of 74. He suffered from a short illness in the time leading up to his death.{{cite news|title=Colin Bell: Manchester City great dies aged 74|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55551720|date=5 January 2021|access-date=5 January 2021|work=BBC News}} On 6 January 2021, Manchester City's players walked out in retro shirts bearing Bell's No 8 for a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12181062/colin-bell-man-city-walk-out-in-tribute-no-8-shirts-vs-man-utd |title=Colin Bell: Man City walk out in tribute No 8 shirts vs Man Utd |publisher=SkySports |date=6 January 2021 |access-date=16 December 2022 }} City won the game 2–0 with goals from John Stones and Fernandinho. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola dedicated the victory to Bell, stating that 'it's an honour to dedicate this victory to Colin Bell and his family'.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/06/pep-guardiola-dedicates-manchester-citys-semi-final-win-to-special-colin-bell |last=Taylor |first=Louise |title=Pep Guardiola dedicates Man City's semi-final win to 'special' Colin Bell |publisher=Guardian |date=6 January 2021 |access-date=16 December 2022 }} Guardiola also stated that 'when Colin Bell has a stand at the Etihad, when his name is the King [of the Kippax], it's because he was something special'. Stones also dedicated the victory to Bell stating that 'how we played in this match was a reflection of him'.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/01/06/john-stones-dedicates-manchester-city-win-manchester-united/ |last=McGrath |first=Mike |title=John Stones dedicates Manchester City win over Manchester United to Colin Bell |publisher=Telegraph |date=6 January 2021 |access-date=16 December 2022 }} On 9 January 2021, the actor Timothy Dalton narrated a tribute to Bell on the BBC programme Football Focus.{{cite web |url=https://gjfootballarchive.com/2021/01/10/football-focus-colin-bell-and-the-1904-fa-cups-significance/ |title=Football Focus, Colin Bell and the 1904 FA Cup's Significance |publisher=gjfootballarchive.com/ |date=10 January 2021 |access-date=16 December 2022 }} In May 2022, Manchester City unveiled a new home kit inspired by Bell.

Bell is regarded as one of England's finest-ever midfield players, being described by one commentator as "the most finished article in the modern game". Bell has been inducted into both the English Football Hall of Fame and the Manchester City Hall of Fame. In 1998 he was selected as one of the Football League 100 Legends.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/144986.stm |title=Football Legends list in full |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 August 1998 |access-date=10 January 2009}} In his foreword to Colin Bell's autobiography, Bobby Charlton has stated that "Colin Bell was unquestionably a great player".{{cite book | title=Colin Bell: Reluctant Hero | page =7 }} Alan Mullery, another of Bell's former England teammates stated that Bell would "still be a star in today's football" and "would fit into any team".{{cite book | title=Colin Bell: Reluctant Hero | page =16 }} Another England teammate of Bell's, Kevin Keegan, has stated that Bell "had it all".{{cite book | title=Colin Bell: Reluctant Hero | page =15 }} England legend Tom Finney stated that "Colin Bell was as good as anything I've ever seen".{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/93564-cult-heroes-colin-bell-manchester-city |first=Alex |last=Stamp |title=Cult Heroes: Colin Bell, Manchester City |website=Bleacher Report |date=16 December 2008 |access-date=21 October 2019}} George Best described Bell as a "brilliant player".{{cite book |last=Best |first=George |date=2004 |title=Scoring at Half-Time: Adventures on and Off the Pitch |url=https://archive.org/details/scoringathalftim00geor |url-access=registration |page=9|publisher=Ebury Press |isbn=978-0091890346}} Joe Royle described Bell as a "phenomenal natural athlete" and "a wonderful footballer".{{cite book |last=Royle |first=Joe |date=2012 |title=Joe Royle The Autobiography |publisher=Random House |page=42 |isbn=978-1446416303}} Steven Gerrard has been compared to Bell.{{cite book |last1=Smart|first1=Andrew |last2=Birtles|first2=Garry |title=Best, Pele, and a Half-Time Bovril: A Nostalgic Look at the 1970s - Football's Last Great Decade |publisher=John Blake |location=London |year=2014 |isbn=9781784180690}} Journalist Dave Maddock described Bell as "possibly the greatest midfield talent England has ever unearthed".{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Bell+of+a+guy.-a061309738 |first=Dave |last=Maddock |title=Bell of a guy |work=Daily Mirror |date=27 January 1996 |access-date=4 May 2014}} In 2003, Manchester City moved into the new City of Manchester Stadium, and in February 2004, one of the ends, the west stand, was named after Bell as a tribute.{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/city-stand-by-bell-1156557|title=City stand by Bell|first=Manchester Evening|last=News|date=12 August 2004}} Only three players have scored more goals than Bell for Manchester City in all competitions: Sergio Agüero with 252 goals, Eric Brook with 177 goals and Tommy Johnson with 166 goals. Bell scored 152 goals for Manchester City in all competitions. He was deemed by Goal.com to be England's twenty-sixth best-ever footballer. He is listed as the greatest-ever City player on the Times website,{{cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article5795355.ece?print=yes&randnum=1151003209000 | work=The Times | location=London | title=The 50 greatest Manchester City players | access-date=2 May 2010 | first=Ric | last=Turner}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} in Ian Penney's book The Essential History of Manchester City,{{cite book |last=Penney|first=Ian |title=The Essential History of Manchester City|publisher=Headline |location=Swindon |year=2000 |page=188|isbn=0-7472-7034-1}} and in the Manchester Evening News.{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/colin-bell-crowned-greatest-manchester-7457964 |first=James |last=Robson |title=Bell crowned greatest City player by readers |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=19 July 2014 |access-date=21 October 2019}}

:Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bell goal.

Manchester City

• Football League First Division: 1967–68{{cite news|title=Colin Bell: Man City to walk out in tribute No 8 shirts vs Man Utd|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/12180355/colin-bell-man-city-to-walk-out-in-tribute-no-8-shirts-vs-man-utd|date=6 January 2021|access-date=6 January 2021|publisher=Sky Sports}}
• Football League Second Division: 1965–66
• FA Cup: 1968–69
• FA Charity Shield: 1968, 1972{{cite news |url=http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/CommunityShield/1968-69CharityShield.htm |title=1968/69 Charity Shield |website=footballsite.co.uk |access-date=1 April 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/CommunityShield/1972-73CharityShield.htm |title=1972/73 Charity Shield |website=footballsite.co.uk |access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918165458/http://footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/CommunityShield/1972-73CharityShield.htm |url-status=dead }}
• Football League Cup: 1969–70, 1975–76{{cite news|title='One of the greatest': Manchester City legend Colin Bell dies at the age of 74|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/05/colin-bell-manchester-city-legend-dies-at-the-age-of-74|first=Jamie|last=Jackson|date=5 January 2021|access-date=6 January 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London}}
• 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{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersB/BioBellC.html |title=Colin Bell |website=England Football Online |publisher=Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young |access-date=30 June 2018}}
• UEFA European Championship third place: 1968

Individual

• Manchester City Player of the Year: 1968{{cite news|title=Tributes flood in for Colin The King|url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/colin-bell-passes-away-63745431|first=David|last=Clayton|date=5 January 2021|access-date=6 January 2021|publisher=Manchester City F.C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105195739/https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/colin-bell-passes-away-63745431|archive-date=5 January 2021}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 1974–75 First Division
• Football League 100 Legends: 1998{{cite news|title=Football: League unveils superstars of the century|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-league-unveils-superstars-of-the-century-1169785.html|date=4 August 1998|access-date=6 January 2021|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}
• Manchester City Hall of Fame: 2004{{cite web|title=Colin Bell|url=https://www.mancity.com/mancitylegends/bell-colin|access-date=6 January 2021|publisher=Manchester City F.C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020142735/https://www.mancity.com/mancitylegends/bell-colin|archive-date=20 October 2020}}
• English Football Hall of Fame: 2005{{cite news |date=15 February 2007 |title=Who will join the greats? |work=Manchester Evening News}}
• Manchester City Top Scorer: 1967, 1970 (shared), 1971 (shared), 1975
• Member of the Order of the British Empire

Bell, Colin; Cheeseman, Ian Colin Bell: Reluctant Hero, Mainstream Publishing

Specific

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

Bibliography

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gdhvSSP-2kAC|title=The Story of the World Cup: The Essential Companion to South Africa 2010|publisher=Faber & Faber|date=6 May 2010|last=Glanville|first=Brian|isbn=9780571271276}}

{{refend}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071114114919/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame.htm English Football Hall of Fame]
• {{Englandstats}}
• [http://jontydog.tripod.com/ Colin Bell's Sweaty Jockstrap]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Colin}}

Category:1946 births

Category:2021 deaths

Category:Bury F.C. players

Category:England men's international footballers

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Category:1970 FIFA World Cup players

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Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players

Category:San Jose Earthquakes (1974–1988) players

Category:UEFA Euro 1968 players

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Category:Footballers from County Durham