Colin Bell (footballer, born 1946)

Colin Bell (26 February 1946 – 5 January 2021) was an English professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Bell, known for his thirteen-year spell at Manchester City, is regarded as one of the club's greatest-ever players, and was part of the Bell–Lee–Summerbee trio in the late 1960s and 1970s.

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.

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 ) by claiming that the player was "hopeless".

Allison's stratagem succeeded as Bell ultimately signed for City.

In the 1966–67 season, Bell was City's top scorer with 14 league goals in all competitions, 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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

Bell made 48 appearances for the England national football team; he was an unused squad member at UEFA Euro 1968 and played in three matches at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

During his playing career, he was nicknamed "The King of the Kippax" (after Maine Road's Kippax Street terraced stand renowned for its singing) and Nijinsky (after the famous racehorse, due to his renowned stamina).

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.

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.

City defeated Górnik Zabrze 2–1 in the 1970 European Cup Winners' Cup Final with goals from Young and Francis Lee.

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.

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.

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.

City went on to win the League Cup that season, defeating Newcastle 2–1 in the 1976 Football League Cup Final.

In 2004, the West Stand of City of Manchester Stadium was later named in his honour.

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.