Colin Bell: Former Manchester City and England midfielder dies aged 74

5 January 2021, 19:57 | Updated: 5 January 2021, 20:02

File photo: Manchester City legend Colin Bell has died aged 74
File photo: Manchester City legend Colin Bell has died aged 74. Picture: PA

By Megan White

Former Manchester City and England midfielder Colin Bell has died at the age of 74, the club have announced.

Bell made 492 appearances and scored 152 goals for City during his 13-year stay after joining from Bury in 1966.

A club statement read: "Colin passed away peacefully this afternoon after a short, non-Covid related illness, aged 74.

He leaves behind wife Marie, children Jon and Dawn and grandchildren, Luke, Mark, Isla and Jack."

Bell earned the nickname 'The King of the Kippax' after one of the terraces at their former Maine Road home, and has a stand named after him at the Etihad Stadium after a fans vote.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a statement on the club's website: "Colin Bell will always be remembered as one of Manchester City's greatest players and the very sad news today of his passing will affect everybody connected to our club.

"I am fortunate to be able to speak regularly to his former manager and team-mates, and it's clear to me that Colin was a player held in the highest regard by all those who had the privilege of playing alongside him or seeing him play.

"The passage of time does little to erase the memories of his genius. The fact that we have a stand at the Etihad Stadium named after Colin speaks volumes about the importance of his contribution to this club.

"Colin was incredibly humble and a modest and understated man with an obvious inner strength of character. He was clearly comfortable with who he was and what he had achieved in the game.

"For the rest of us, there is always the thought of what might have been if injury had not affected his career.

"Undoubtedly more trophies for City and far more than the 49 England caps to his name. Our Club has lost a true great. Everyone's thoughts and best wishes are with Colin's family."

Former City forward Paul Dickov wrote on Twitter: "Devastated to hear of passing of Colin Bell...One of the greatest if not THE greatest player to ever wear the City shirt & more than anything the nicest & most humble man you could ever meet. Thoughts, love & prayers to all the Bell family. RIP Legend."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The M25, one of the most popular roads in the country, has been closed in both directions overnight, between junctions 9 and 10.

Britain’s busiest motorway closed in both directions tonight - check your diverted route

The couple said they had previously been banned from entering Cowley Hill Primary School, in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

‘Massive overreach’ - Parents arrested for complaining about daughter’s school in Whatsapp group

A British man tackled a knifeman who went a stabbing spree in Amsterdam to the ground.

Police identify Ukrainian man, 30, as suspect of Amsterdam mass stabbing stopped by ‘hero’ British tourist

Jonathan Brash MP has called for the abolition of the Sentencing Council.

First Labour MP calls for abolition of 'two-tier' Sentencing Council as justice row erupts

Lidl has issued an urgent recall.

Urgent recall issued by supermarket chain over salmonella fears

Over 1,600 people have died in the earthquake in Myanmar

Myanmar earthquake death toll surges past 1,600 with more than 3,000 hurt as hundreds more trapped under rubble

A man has been charged with murder after police responded to an alleged fight between two drivers.

'Road rage fight at roundabout' leaves 'loving family man' dead, as driver charged with murder

Werneth Park, Oldham

Mother and newborn baby found after urgent hunt as human placenta found in park

Euromillions winner revealed

Winner of eye-watering £209m EuroMillions jackpot revealed

Clocks go forward this weekend with Brits to lose an hour's sleep - but could the change be ruining our health?

Clocks go forward this weekend with Brits to lose an hour's sleep - but could the change be ruining our health?

Emergency services at a property in Beswick Close, Rushton after three people died in a house fire

Three people die in Northamptonshire house fire with three police officers hurt, as neighbours tell of 'inferno'

US Vice President JD Vance (2nd-R) and second lady Usha Vance (2nd-L) tour the US military's Pituffik Space Base on March 28, 2025 in Pituffik, Greenland

'This isn't how you speak to your allies': Denmark says it 'doesn't appreciate tone' of Vance's Greenland criticism

Exclusive
Over 1,000 people have died in the Myanmar earthquake, and former ambassador Vicky Bowman's husband was caught up

‘It's desperate’: Ex-UK ambassador to Myanmar tells LBC of friend 'trapped' by earthquake, as over 1,000 dead

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

Prince Harry 'only heard about King's hospital trip on the news', with 'lonely' prince left 'isolated' in California

Justin Welby

Justin Welby says he failed to tackle Church of England child abuse because scale was 'overwhelming'

The eclipse seen from the UK

Solar eclipse appears in UK skies as crowds watch from across the UK - see the best pictures