Colin Bell

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Colin Bell MBE is a former English football player from County Durham.

Nicknamed "The King of the Kippax" (the Kippax being Manchester City's terraced stand renowned for its singing) and Nijinsky after a famous racehorse, Bell is widely described as City's greatest ever player. He was the inspirational player in the most successful Manchester City side ever. He was part of the famous trio of the late 60s and early 70s alongside Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee.

He began his career at Bury captaining the team at a young age. In 1966 he moved to Manchester City and helped the team earn promotion to the first division that same year. When trying to sign him for Manchester City, Assistant Manager Malcolm Allison attempted to dissuade other parties by claiming Bell "can't head it, can't pass it, he's hopeless". This stratagem worked, as Bell signed for City despite interest from other clubs. In 1968 he helped City win their second league championship and won his first England Cap against Sweden where he was instrumental in a 4-1 victory over the Swedes - the last time the English national team defeated Sweden. In 1969 Manchester City won the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Leicester City thanks to a goal by Neil Young. That same year Bell was distinguishing himself in the national team scoring England's only goal in a 1-0 victory over Holland and also scoring against Brazil. In 1970 Manchester City won two trophies, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup. Bell earned a place in the England squad for the World Cup that year along with City team mate Francis Lee. Bell replaced Bobby Charlton in the 3-2 defeat to West Germany in the quarter final of that competition and the substitution was deemed by some to be the turning point of the game. However Charlton has himself argued that it was not the substitution that changed the game and the facts that West Germany scored their first goal before Charlton was substituted and also that the West German team at the time had a habit of coming back in games indicates that it is wrong to blame the substitutions for England's defeat.

Colin Bell would go on to win 48 caps for England and score 9 goals for his country. He also captained his national team in 1973 though that game resulted in defeat by Northern Ireland. England failed to qualify for the World cup in 1974 and Bell was upset that he was unable to make his name on the world stage. Bell however 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'.

Tragically, in 1975 at the age of 29, he was injured against Manchester United by Martin Buchan during a League Cup match at Maine Road. He attempted a return in 1977, but called time on a magical career in 1979 having never recaptured the form which guided Manchester City to the 1968 League Title, 1969 FA Cup, 1970 League Cup and 1970 European Cup Winners' Cup and a second League Cup victory in 1976, after collecting a runners up medal in the same competition two years earlier.

Bell played 5 games for the San Jose Earthquakes in the NASL in 1980.

Bell continued his service with the Maine Road club by working with the youth team, but left before returning during the '90s as an ambassador. In 2004 the West Stand at Manchester City's new stadium, The City of Manchester Stadium, was renamed the "Colin Bell Stand" in honour of their greatest ever player. This is a unique honour, as the East, North and South stands all remain nameless, although one of the roads leading to the stadium is called "Joe Mercer Way" in honour of Manchester City's most successful and greatest ever manager. Bell was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his contribution to the English game. He was also awarded an MBE that year in recognition of his work for charity.

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