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

[Bluemoon dan]

Really weird coincidence, watching Beat the Chasers on ITV and one of the first questions asked was 'who had a hit with Lily the Pink'.

 

[Grassland Blue]

Number one will always be Colin Bell... as will two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven.

On the twelfth day of Christmas etc.

 

[oddfellows]

Blessed and honoured to have watched a genuine LEGEND.

Still have goosebumps from Boxing Day 1977 the moment if you were there that day at the beginning of the second half will stay with you forever, and, I'm sure the Bar Code fans who were also stood up applauding would concur.

That is the respect I have never witnessed before or will ever witness again.

Goodbye Nijinsky.

Never forgotten.

 

[91:23]

RIP absolute legend. Totally heartbroken for his family and the City family for this loss.

@twosips just seen your tribute to Colin on YT. Couldn't have said it better mate. Thank you

 

[FNQ Blue]

Boxing Day 77 was the last time I had a tear in my eye for King Colin...RIP Blue

 

[standupifyouhatemanu]

My man cave will now be called "The Colin Bell Memorial Bar" and I'll get a plaque on the door, The signed and framed shirt will be hung proudly above the bar.

 

[Vienna_70]

Here are a couple of anecdotes I forgot to include in my earlier tribute:
In one of its issues, Blueprint fanzine came with a poster of the Great Man.

I put it on my bedroom wall, and every time my then toddler nephew came into to see me, I’d point to the poster and say, "That’s Colin Bell".

One day, the boy walked in, and said, "That’s Colin Bell!"

Unfortunately, it didn’t do any good; he’s a bloody Newcastle supporter!

Secondly, I lived in Stoke from 1999 to 2006, first as a student, then while I was working there.

I was lucky enough to find a pub that had among its regulars several proper, old-time Potters' supporters.

On one occasion, when chatting to one of them, I asked him what he thought of Colin Bell.

He replied immediately, without the slightest hesitation, "World class."

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Sadly never saw Colin play, but my dad says he was the best player ever to pull on a Sky Blue shirt.

RIP Blue.

Sad day for the club.

 

[Manx Blue]

Within two years of transferring from Bury, his name was featured in one of the biggest films of the 1960s.

This, when England had won the World Cup, and when he wasn't it the winning team.

RIP Colin.

 

[beverly hills]

I had the great pleasure of working with Colin for two seasons in the late 90’s when I worked in the city commercial department.
My Job on match days was to take Colin around the executive boxes to meet & greet.
On the first game he told me never to take him to a box that hadn’t specifically asked for him.
He just didn’t want to force himself on people.
He was that kind of bloke.
That first game he rolled up in a faded old Umbro managers coat.
I asked Geoff Durbin if he could supply some of the new Kappa gear & he sent me over to the Souvenir shop to pick up Colin’s clobber & I duly gave it to him.
Next game, Colin rolls up in the old Umbro coat so I of course asked him where his new gear was.
I gave it to our Jonathan he said, he loves it !
He was that kind of man.
What I will always remember about Colin was his tales when talking to People who did ask for him.
It was never a game against United or Liverpool or a cup final etc.
It was Bury away at Hartlepool or Darlington on a wet Tuesday night.
He was that kind of Man.
A very unassuming Man & an absolute hero to Me on & off the pitch.
We remained friends ever since & he always made a point of coming over to see Me & my guests on match days.
He was that kind of Man.
Never meet your Heroes they say.
Well I’m glad I did.
RIP Colin Bell.

 

[Hes the left back remember]

My Colin Bell lead figure,part of a hero set.
Had it over 45 years.
RIP the King

 

[Rascal]

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

Even the Reds would have respected him too. I have had messages from some tonight expressing their sorrow.

 

[Shirley]

Terrible news, so sad.
RIP the King.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

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.

Joe Mercer said exactly the same thing. I think I saw the footage possibly during the Lee, Bell, Summerbee legends video. "Bell, he's going to be the best player City have had since Peter Doherty". Doherty must have been some player.

 

[its a Barm]

My man cave will now be called "The Colin Bell Memorial Bar" and I'll get a plaque on the door, The signed and framed shirt will be hung proudly above the bar.

I would love to have a drink with you there one day to toast the great man.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Here are a couple of anecdotes I forgot to include in my earlier tribute:
In one of its issues, Blueprint fanzine came with a poster of the Great Man.

I put it on my bedroom wall, and every time my then toddler nephew came into to see me, I’d point to the poster and say, "That’s Colin Bell".

One day, the boy walked in, and said, "That’s Colin Bell!"

Unfortunately, it didn’t do any good; he’s a bloody Newcastle supporter!

Secondly, I lived in Stoke from 1999 to 2006, first as a student, then while I was working there.

I was lucky enough to find a pub that had among its regulars several proper, old-time Potters' supporters.

On one occasion, when chatting to one of them, I asked him what he thought of Colin Bell.

He replied immediately, without the slightest hesitation, "World class."

One of my mates is a Stoke fan. I remember chatting to his old man about City and he said exactly the same.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I've told this story before but seems a good time to repeat it. In my younger days my mum had a café in the Corn Exchange and Mike Summerbee was a regular customer. In the school holidays I'd go in and make sandwiches at lunchtime and on one of those days Mike wandered in for some lunch after the lunchtime rush had cleared. I sat with him and over lunch I asked him about what made Malcolm Allison such a great coach.

Buzzer replied that as well as being good at training and tactics, he knew what made every single player tick & how to motivate each one individually. He said that Malcolm knew that he (Buzzer) had to be wound up to get him motivated so he'd needle him relentlessly and get under his skin. Neil Young, on the other hand, wasn't a very confident person and needed an arm round his shoulder to reassure him. Of course I asked about my hero. "What does he do to motivate Colin Bell?". I remember Mike laughed and said "He doesn't need to do anything. Colin motivates himself".

And, as a final thought, I hope he isn't relying on Bernard Halford to leave a ticket for him with St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.

 

[Berts Neck]

The greatest City player I have ever seen.. Bell Buzzer and Lee..what a triumvirate...he signed his book for me.. what a kind unassuming man..God bless his family and thank you for the memories RIP

 

[manchester blue]

Blessed and honoured to have watched a genuine LEGEND.

Still have goosebumps from Boxing Day 1977 the moment if you were there that day at the beginning of the aAAbsecond half will stay with you forever, and, I'm sure the Bar Code fans who were also stood up applauding would concur.

That is the respect I have never witnessed before or will ever witness again.

Goodbye Nijinsky.

Never forgotten.

Absolutely mate. Just got shivers down the spine reading that. Definitely one of the best atmospheres I ever witnessed. Fair play to the Geordies too.

 

[benno74]

True blue
True legend
The King, RIP