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

[Ian]

Devastated to hear this news. RIP King Colin. My childhood hero.

 

[Vienna_70]

Joe Mercer didn’t rate him enough to sign him it was Big Mal who persuaded him Joe soon changed his mind and admitted he was wrong My old man said that Doherty was better, like you say he must have been some player

Up until a couple of seasons ago, we regularly saw a nonagenarian in the lift up to and down from Level 3.

He reckoned Peter Doherty was the best he ever saw, so he indeed must have been some player!

 

[1.618034]

It's been a long time since I've come on here to post and believe me there has been many times I've been tempted. However tonight needed no more tempting it just felt the right thing to do.

I started following this wonderful club when my Dad first took me in 1972. My Dad was my first hero and will be my last but that Saturday afternoon in 72 he unearthed a plethora of new heroes that continues to this day. We all pick our favourites or maybe they pick you. My Dad's was Buzzer Summerbee, mine was Willie Donachie, whilst my own 2 daughters were Stephen Jordan and Sun Jihai for a short time at least.

But I knew all about Colin Bell before I even stepped foot in Maine Road, how could I not. I'd heard all the stories from my Dad of his extraordinary stamina, his pace, his goals and the name Nijinsky. I'd thumbed through my Dad's scrapbooks from newspaper clippings and touched them longingly.

Surrounded by my Dad's mate, those foreboding dark stands, the tall floodlights, the smell of grass and then seeing for the first time in glorious technicolor those stunningly beautiful sky blue shirts and there stood in the middle this rapier like blonde fella, our very own England midfield Star - Nijinsky!

My Dad took me to almost every home game barring the derbies, too much trouble in those days, and so I missed that fateful League Cup game. But he made sure he took me to the King's homecoming v Newcastle. And has already been mentionedby the noise when he appeared has never been beaten. We've all heard and read about him, seen the clips, sung his name on many occasions and I hope it's the first we sing whenever we are all back together. Where ever he is we need him and his family to hear it bellowing out every bit as loud as that Newcastle return.

I didn't want to believe it tonight although I knew it was true and I just had to ring my Dad who has been bedridden for too long now to tell him the news. My Mam ( a United fan) answered the phone and said she was sorry and I asked her to tell my Dad that Colin Bell had died....did i really just say that to my Dad

I heard his voice in the background "Oh No not Colin Bell" and I put the phone down.

Fate has brought City v United together again in a League Cup tie tomorrow. Those footballing gods really do know to play the heartstrings. Come on City Do it for the King, for Nijinsky for every Blue's hero Colin Bell.

I've gone again!

 

[Ian]

I hope nobody minds but as a life long West Ham fan I felt compelled to register to comment on the sad passing of Colin Bell. He was a player I greatly admired and was amazed at his ability and stamina, he seemed to run all day and was quite capable of starting a move and then being in the box to finish it. As an old timer he is what I would call a proper footballer and they are as rare as hens teeth. No fuss, no histrionics, just an out and out gentleman. A special light has just gone out.

Thanks for your post mate. Much appreciated

 

[Blue Llama]

He played a charity match with Paul Power at local school nearly nineties. He could put the ball on a sixpence. Imagine Colin playing alongside Merlin......

What a midfield we would have with him in it today. What is often forgotten is that he could tackle as well. He was never an aggressive tackler he would just time it to perfection and spirit the ball away.

 

[jonah62]

Uncle Joe & Big Mal wait at the pearly gates

 

[A57 the snake]

Some lovely celebrated thoughts and memories on here tonight .

well done to all.

 

[Nellies left peg]

I had a blue and white city scarf which my mum knitted with the name Man City in the middle and Bell and Lee sewn into it in maroon. She didn't have enough wool left for Summerbee. I loved those days when I was a nipper and football was a proper game

 

[WestGorton]

What a midfield we would have with him in it today. What is often forgotten is that he could tackle as well. He was never an aggressive tackler he would just time it to perfection and spirit the ball away.

He could do everything. Yaya...KDB,.. Merlin....and he could head it!

 

[Kakhaber The Great]

RIP Nijinsky.

Sad, sad news. If there is a heaven my Mum & Dad will be there to mob him at the gate. I've got the goal vs Chelsea on repeat, 70/71. And yes, I am having a drink to Colin the King...