Helen the bell ringer

[Leveblue]

Agree completely blue. He doesn't post much but his name is a dead give away.

If she was on your coach you never fucked about. City legend.

Haha, you mean if you were on her coach LOL. I went Leeds away on her coach ( Junior Blues ) aged 14, heard new swear words from her that day. She used to sell flowers on the corner of the MRI. Legend of a City fan.

There used to be a mural of her in one of the corridors showing her with her flower stall, first floor in the main entrance building I think.

Don’t know if it’s still there, may have gone now which would be a pity.

Agreed, a true City Legend

 

[Cookieproof]

One of my favourite memories was everyone knew she was a permanent fixture at home games, so when the Kipppax wanted her to get the atmosphere revved up a notch or two they would always sing, "Helen Helen ring your bell, Helen ring your bell". During one game, I forget which one, I think it was the 1974-75 season the Kippax sang, "Helen Helen ring your bell, Helen ring your bell". What followed was a stony silence. So after a few seconds the crowd sang again, "Helen Helen ring your bell, Helen ring your bell". Nothing. A lot of people, including myself were thinking, "Where is she? Why isn't she here? I hope she's alright." Then came the classic from the Kippax, "Part time supporter, part time supporter". A true blue sadly missed.

 

[1_barry_conlon]

Our esteemed Safety Officer would ensure that the likes of Helen could no longer bring their 'offensive weapon' in the ground in this day and age. Perish the thought.

In fact he'd probably confiscate the bell and then get her to write a begging letter to him asking why she would want it back.

Just to keep his ego going.

 

[ccr]

Mentioned it before on here, when I went to Reading for a cup replay I was (Lucky ????) to be sat next to her. She rang that bell whenever City attacked and Rang it when they scored up till Reading kicked off again. If anyone remembers the score of that game they will know that my hearing was badly affected for a week after.

 

[lancs blue]

One of my favourite memories was everyone knew she was a permanent fixture at home games, so when the Kipppax wanted her to get the atmosphere revved up a notch or two they would always sing, "Helen Helen ring your bell, Helen ring your bell". During one game, I forget which one, I think it was the 1974-75 season the Kippax sang, "Helen Helen ring your bell, Helen ring your bell". What followed was a stony silence. So after a few seconds the crowd sang again, "Helen Helen ring your bell, Helen ring your bell". Nothing. A lot of people, including myself were thinking, "Where is she? Why isn't she here? I hope she's alright." Then came the classic from the Kippax, "Part time supporter, part time supporter". A true blue sadly missed.

Lol, you beat me to it, I was just about to mention the "part-time supporter" chant. Great banter and happy memories of Helen and "A" coach on away trips from the Travel Club, although sometimes we used to specifically ask for "B" coach if we wanted a more relaxed outing!

 

[malg]

I was in the North Stand where she was, and would gladly have hit her over the head with that fucking bell.

 

[mancitymick]

I remember my first away trip...She was in charge of one of the coaches and it was funny as fuck how she shouted at people at the services "to not be late back to the coach"

Legend of a blue..

She always got on coach A "No drinking no fighting" same spiel each away game.<br /><br />-- Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:53 am --<br /><br /><a class="postlink" href="http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/175/175419_helen_the_bell_dies.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... _dies.html</a>

TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of Manchester City super fan Helen "the bell" Turner.

Helen, 85, was a regular at Maine Road for more than 30 years, ringing her bell and cheering on the Blues through good and bad times.

She was a fanatical supporter all her life and a favourite with the fans and players. She died on Friday after a series of illnesses, which meant she had to use a wheelchair in her most recent match-day appearances.

Former City player Gary Owen said: "From the first day I walked into the club she was always there.

"No one will be able to replace her. She had been ill recently, but she was very charitable and always doing things for other people. She will be missed by everyone at the club."

Ovation

Helen was given a standing ovation on the day she rang time on 80 years of football history when the Blues moved from Maine Road to Eastlands in 2003.

Her proudest moment came when she was invited on to the pitch to do a lap of honour with the team when City won the League Cup in 1976.

Fans will remember Helen for her friendship with goalie Joe Corrigan. She sat behind his goal in the Old North Stand and they would often chat. Helen would give him a sprig of lucky heather before each match.

A flower-seller, with a stall outside Manchester Royal Infirmary, Helen was a keen charity fund-raiser and could be seen collecting in her wheelchair at Maine Road. She is believed to have lived alone in Ardwick.

The club has asked fans to email their memories of Helen and her bell to mcfc@mcfc.co.uk so they can be published on the website.

A minute's silence will be observed in Helen's memory at the home game against Chelsea in December

 

[6-1 at the swamp]

Who remember Helen the Bell ringer and how she would go down today at the ETIHAD?

Remember her well from maine road, dont think she would like the etihad to new and modern, wouldnt hear the bell as clear, which isnt a bad, was a bit annoying.

 

[Solid Silva]

Helen was a rag until she had a big fall out with their hierarchy and changed allegiance! I remember her sitting two rows in front of me in the North Stand and she was always pestering Joe Corrigan during the game for England tickets! Was a bit annoying for Joe and people sat around her!<br /><br />-- Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:07 pm --<br /><br />

I was in the North Stand where she was, and would gladly have hit her over the head with that fucking bell.

So true lol - and she never watched the game as the kids she had with her at home games were always pissing about!

 

[Any1aBlue]

I remember Helen 'the bell'. Sat at front of North Stand continually thrapesing that clacker.
If you watch old Match of The day re-runs you can always hear the bell..................ah,the good old days.