Colin Bell Has Died

[sneggyblubird]

Re: Colin Bell Has Died

I’m a bit saddened by your story but should not be surprised. I really liked Joe Mercer, he was interviewed frequently on TV as he had been a distinguished player and a very successful manager with Man C. He always came over very well. He played with many of the greats of that era including “Dixie” Deans (who he called Bill) and had loads of interesting stories. I felt sorry for him when he was ousted from the managers job at Maine Road in favour of Malcolm Allison. Allison was everything that Mercer was not; brash, arrogant, a showman and a triumph of dubious style over substance. He had been a successful coach but his managerial career, other than in Portugal, was largely undistinguished. Although he will always be remembered for paying the vast sum of £1.4m in 1979 for Steve Daley who became known as the biggest waste of money in football history. Mercer also did a good job as temporary England manager but was discarded in favour of Don Revie and that succession didn’t turn out well either.

I remember seeing Steve Daley play against us just before he went and wondered what the fuss was all about.It came hard on the heals of the Francis 1m move but still think the price tag didn't do the lad any good pressure wise.

[Elwood Blues]

Re: Colin Bell Has Died

As a kid, I asked Joe Mercer for his autograph when he was at Ninian Park and acting as England's caretaker manager. He promptly told me to 'Piss off'.
Bill Boston, the motorcyclist, went one better and told me to 'F*** off'.

On a more positive note, Colin Bell was a joy to watch.

A bit off topic but it i still an autograph story

I remember reading an article some years ago by some chap who had loved Dad's Army when he was a kidand also collected autographs

He saw Arnold Ridley who played kindly, inoffensive Private Godfrey sitting in a cafe.

The chap went up to him and said "Excuse me Mr Ridley could I have your autograph please

He said the usual reaction was " of course son" or "sorry son not now"

Arnold Ridley said the same as Joe Mercer!

How illusions are shattered!!

[Cyclops]

Re: Colin Bell Has Died

That City team with Bell, Lee and Summerbee was special.
But it was ruined when Malcolm Allison tried to fit in the last piece to take them up a final notch and signed Rodney Marsh. Their title aspirations were blown - it was a lesson of what not to do when riding high.
City players took it out on opposing teams which left a nasty taste in the mouth. For many years I thought of them as a team who were downright unpleasant if things didn't go their way.
But Bell was outstanding. He only played 48 games for England because there were some world-class inside forwards around at the time.

[Ivortheengine]

Re: Colin Bell Has Died

Colin Bell, a true legend in every sense of the word. Box to box, shoot with both feet and would be priceless by today’s standards. Saw him play twice, once at Maine Road, once at Ninian Park for England. Should have had more than his 40 odd caps. Quite rightly revered by all those connected to Manchester City.He will be missed.