Memories Of Colin Bell

michael roelof robinson wrote:

A player of amazing fitness and skill and also a man of great modesty and character. I only saw him play once or twice but remember the one occassion, around 1971 I think, Reading had drawn with Man City in the FA Cup third round in Mancester and were expectant for a possible win at Elm Park, but Reading were totally outclassed by a superb Man City side who I believe won 7 goals to one, the likes of Summerbee, Bell, Oakes, Pardoe, Book and the rest ran rings around the Reading team. One of the greatest nights of football I have ever witnessed. Did Colin ever write a book, would love to read it if he did.

Sinclair Fordyce wrote:

I can recall that cold winter's night when City battered United in the 4th round of the then League Cup. Unfortunatley that night I was unable to get a ticket for the Kippax and had to sit in the North Stand just to the left of centre of the goal. City were playing some wonderful football and tearing United apart. Colin was having an outstanding game and United just could not keep up with him.
What a pity, that such a gifted player should have his career finished in my eyes that night. Because of the long haul fight to regain his fitness, then the cartiledge damage to his knee, Colin never really recovered.
I can only say that I am grateful for the fact that I can say it was an honour to see Colin play bearing in mind I was a young schoolboy in them days.

CHRIS BETTS wrote:

Without any doubt "King" Colin Bell was the greatest player ever to wear the pale blue shirt. All the other players since who have dared to be compared with him are just pretenders.
If he had not had his career so cruelly curtailed in his prime, the name Colin Bell would have been revered throughout the world. In these days of overpayed, overrated, prima donnas my heart goes back to the sixties/seventies when City were most certainly the greatest team in Manchester.

Hugh Miller wrote:

Colin Bell is the principal reason that drove me to be a Manchester City supporter. I have followed English football from the late sixties, and through this (along with a T.V. programme called the Dustbin Men) I started my lifelong support.
I have had the privelige of meeting Colin on a few different occasions, and he is an absolute gentleman.
A true legend !!!!

Bill Birch wrote:

I saw Colin Bell's first game for Bury and recall after the game seeing him and his dad running for the train back to the north east ..no fancy cars in those days.
One game and everyone knew he was special ...great player.

Kevin Oram wrote:

I was fortunate to see Colin Bell play on a few occasions, for City and for England, and being a City fan I was a big admirer of his.
When you look back over his career and contribution to his club and country it is hard to see how he could have done things any better.
To turn this around I have tried to be critical about his career and found it very hard to come up with any faults.
A true City legend and worthy of all the applauds that have come his way.

carole turner wrote:

Most memorable moment for me from 30 years of watching City live is Colin's comeback game v Newcastle Boxing Day 1977. Not sure if it was the return of my hero, the 4-0 scoreline or as a 9 year old seeing the grown men around me in tears as they gave him a standing ovation that lasted virtually the entire 2nd half. (& he almost made it perfect when he nearly scored with his 1st touch)

CHRIS BETTS wrote:

Without doubt the greatest player EVER to play in Manchester!

Eddie Haydock wrote:

Subject: Colin Bell - Reluctant (spelled 'MY') hero

Just been given Col's biography 'Reluctant Hero' for my birthday. I was a young lad when I first when to see him play at Maine Road in the sixties and reading his book is bringing back so many fabulous memories.
I was such a fan that I used to go down to the ground during the week to watch the players arrive for training and stay there outside, whatever the weather, until they left, badgering them to sign pictures of themselves in my Charles Buchan's Football Annuals which I carried with me in a Man City shoulder bag.
I've still got them all and I'm now in my fifties! They all signed, God bless 'em, and of course my pride and joy are the ones of Colin Bell.
One day I was standing outside the player's entrance with two of my mates when Harry Godwin the chief scout came out and invited us in to watch the lads train on the pitch. Can you imagine? There we were, three young City fans sitting in the stand of an empty Maine Road watching them all being put through their paces. What a magical memory.
It was a sad day when Martin Buchan cruelly cut Colin down with that vicious foul and I've never forgiven him or Manchester United for it. As if I needed another excuse to despise them!
Anyway Colin, you may have been reluctant, but you can never deny you were a hero of the highest order.