Colin Bell RIP - Ian Cheeseman interview with Jon Bell (P142)

[East Level 2]

RIP Colin the King.
I was lucky enough to see him play many times and for several decades thought I'd never see anybody as good in a City shirt. I was there when he was injured against the rags and also for his 1977 Boxing Day comeback against Newcastle.
The raw emotion when he appeared as a half-time substitute against the Geordies was incredible and it means the few games he played towards the end of the 75-76 season in his initial comeback are often forgotten. However I was at Elland Road when he put us ahead and it looked like his troubles were behind him.
There were a lot of great players in the Mercer-Allison era, but Colin was the best of them.

 

[Ballymagash Blue]

The first time I ever saw Colin play was for England in that historic 1973 game against Poland. The second half was shown live on Irish television and as kids we were allowed to stay up because I was a fanatical City fan. I couldn't believe I was watching Colin Bell live in the (TV) flesh and I was heartbroken that any team with Colin in it could lose.

Nearly 50 years on the thought of him in those beautiful, iconic blue jerseys of the mid 1970s is still inspiring.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilís.

 

[Little club]

RIP King Colin the greatest I seen.

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

Awful news, RIP King Colin. I feel sad to have never been able to watch him live, but the enthusiasm and love that my Dad spoke about him with was undoubtedly part of my early experience as a City fan. I was captivated, mesmerised by the videos. I don’t know if anyone else had the below VHS back in the day but come to think of it, watching this is my earliest memory of City. What a player.

Had it and it was on loop, i wanted to know everything about them as a young lad and this was my window into how it felt to watch greatness.... if we’re all honest, until sheikh Mansour I don’t think any of us felt a realistic chance of seeing this again, that’s why we have to love every minute of it as we never know when it’s gone again...

 

[Nellies left peg]

I remember my Nan buying me the home shirt in early 70’s, in the days when you couldn’t get a shirt with a number on. I was gutted it didn’t have Colin’s number on the back, so bless her, she trawled sports shops all over Manc to get a white number 8, before eventually finding one on Wilmslow Road. She then proceeded to painstakingly sew the number on herself. She knew what the King meant to her young grandson.

My mum sewed a number 8 on my shirt exactly the same mate. I wore that shirt all the time

 

[the old abbey]

Rip. "OUR" king. My hero as a kid. Bought the red and black striped kit no 8.Was there against Newcastle in his comeback in the Kippax. Legend!!!

 

[Blue Llama]

Stupid I know but my tears are making it difficult to type this. What a player, what a man. Never the most vocal on the pitch but what an example.

 

[Rascal]

My old dad used to say Colin was the best player he ever saw play for city (peter doherty a close second) & I can say without doubt King Colin was the best player I have ever seen play for city with David Silva a close second.

My Grandad used to say that Colin Bell was the closest thing he had ever seen to Peter Doherty, which coming from my Grandad was high praise indeed.

 

[Bobby Macs goalie gloves]

Rest in peace Colin the King a true legend .

 

[ZenHalfTimeCrock]

Just been randomly making my way through some of the heartfelt and eloquent tributes to the great man on this thread.

Can’t find the words myself right now to do justice to the guy.

 

[Saddleworth2]

An absolutely fantastic tribute about Colin by Martin Tyler on Sky Sports. Said in today’s market Colin would have been the most expensive player in the world. He seemed genuinely upset and it was really moving listening to that.

I’m in my 53rd year of watching City and part of the reason that I love City so much was Colin. I have to admit that I shed a few tears earlier when I found out. The last time that man made me cry was when he came back on Boxing Day 77. Brilliant player, lovely man, who I had the pleasure of meeting a few times. I sat next to him once at a game and couldn’t concentrate. He was my hero and had no idea...... RIP Colin

Lovely post mate. He was a huge hero to many of us. It’s like a part of you has been chipped off. Some bloody amazing memories though.

 

[PistonBlue]

I never got to see him play live but was lucky enough to be coached by him (and Dave Ewing) at Platt Lane. Seems I was too much of a challenge even for the great man.
RIP Colin, The King

 

[Messi38]

Stupid I know but my tears are making it difficult to type this. What a player, what a man. Never the most vocal on the pitch but what an example.

Don't feel embarrassed about showing emotion as a male mate. Sounds like Colin Bell was worth the tears.

 

[mexico1970]

Gutted, absolutely gutted. Sleep well the king.

 

[br88]

Was fortunate enough to see him play...very sad day. Brings back so many great memories of singing our Colin the King chant and these great words...he's the greatest inside forward that the world has ever seen. RIP Colin.

 

[Ric]

Would’ve been some away end tomorrow night, with his song being belted out for 90 minutes non-stop.

 

[jimharri]

Almost definitely been posted already, but....
1. I can't be bothered checking back through nearly 50 pages since the news broke. And
2. It bears repeating!

 

[EL APACHE TEVEZ]

An absolutely fantastic tribute about Colin by Martin Tyler on Sky Sports. Said in today’s market Colin would have been the most expensive player in the world. He seemed genuinely upset and it was really moving listening to that.

I’m in my 53rd year of watching City and part of the reason that I love City so much was Colin. I have to admit that I shed a few tears earlier when I found out. The last time that man made me cry was when he came back on Boxing Day 77. Brilliant player, lovely man, who I had the pleasure of meeting a few times. I sat next to him once at a game and couldn’t concentrate. He was my hero and had no idea...... RIP Colin

Lot of respect for Tyler before he was really upset great tribute

 

[HarrytheBlue]

I shed a tear just now for King Colin, Nijinski, the greatest player ever in sky blue. Colin, what a pleasure and a privilege to have stood on the old Kippax and watched in awe as you strode majestically over the Maine Road turf. And what strides, one minute at left back helping to repel boarders, the next rising high to head powerfully into the net. Shooting, tackling, passing, carrying the ball with physical determination into enemy territory; there was no aspect of the game at which you did excel. Cruelly cut down in your pomp, you showed immense courage and determination to come back. Sadly the knee did not hold for too long and you were forced into retirement.
No blue could ever forget you, and we never will.
RIP, Legend.

I've been saying it for years, Colin would be the first player on Pep's teamsheet - searing pace, viciously accurate shot, dominant in the air, sublime skill, tenacious in the tackle, ran further than any other player in the league, the goalscoring record of a centre forward, perfect temperament, gentleman, leader, legend.

Made us all feel so proud - a colossus and he played for us !!

 

[maurizio]

Number 8 on the back of my City shirt. My hero when I first started watching the blues. Sad news.