Family says farewell to ‘gentleman’ Stanley fan
Club joins the tributes as grandad loses cancer fight at 63
TRIBUTES have been paid to a big Accrington Stanley fan described as “a gentleman”.
Grandfather-of-three Peter Bell, of Sandy Lane, Accrington, died on Tuesday, September 22, aged 63, weeks after a terminal cancer diagnosis.
As per his wishes he will wear his Stanley shirt and a scarf at his funeral, to be conducted by minister and fellow fan Kevin Logan.
Funeral-goers have been encouraged to don the club colours at the October 5 service at Accrington Crematorium. In a social media statement, Accrington Stanley FC said: “Everyone at Accrington Stanley is saddened to hear of the passing of lifetime fan Peter Bell.”
In May 2018 Peter and his son Simon enjoyed Stanley’s league title-winning parade, when the town was decked in a sea of red and white.
Simon, who attended matches with his dad and nephew Kasper, said: “We had just won the league and it was a good day out. We met in the Broadway pub and then walked down to the town hall.
He was happy.” Simon said his dad was a well-known member of the Stanley Supporters Club, and taking early retirement just before he turned 60 had enabled him to get to home and away games.
TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a big Accrington Stanley fan described as “a gentleman”.
Grandfather- of- three Peter Bell, of Sandy Lane, Accrington, died on Tuesday, September 22, aged 63, just a few weeks after a terminal cancer diagnosis.
As per his wishes he will wear the famous red shirt and a Stanley scarf at his funeral, to be conducted by minister and fellow Accrington fan Kevin Logan. Funeral goers have also been encouraged to don the club colours at the October 5 service at Accrington Crematorium.
In a social media statement, Accrington Stanley FC said: “Everyone at Accrington Stanley is saddened to hear of the passing of lifetime fan Peter Bell. Peter attended all home and away matches, and he has enjoyed watching this season’s games on iFollow Stanley. Our thoughts are with Peter’s family and friends at this desperately sad time.”
A former mechanic and car valet, Peter leaves his beloved wife of 39 years, Jayne, and two children.
Back in May 2018, our photographer captured him and his son Simon on a joyous occasion at Stanley’s league title-winning parade, when the town was decked in a sea of red and white.
Simon, who used to attend matches nearly every week with his dad and nephew Kasper, said: “We had just won the league and it was a good day out. We met in the Broadway pub and then walked down to the town hall. He was happy.”
Simon said his dad was a well-known member of the Stanley Supporters Club, and taking early retirement just before he turned 60 had enabled him to get to home and away games until the end of last season.
“He used to go down to the Stanley shop. We used to go in the Sports Bar before the game, would watch whoever was on TV and go the ground and stand in the Clayton End. After the game we would go to the Crown and have a drink. We were very close, me and my dad.”
Simon said his dad was a very fit man who enjoyed walking over the Coppice, but his health declined quickly after he returned unwell from holiday. He went for a Covid-19 test which came back negative, but was instead diagnosed with a collapsed lung.
Peter left school aged 15 and worked as a mechanic in Accrington until he was nearly 40, before becoming a car valet, first in his home town and then in Blackburn for BMW. He also used to be a server and sidesman at St John’s Church.
Wife Jayne, who he met in the Bees Knees in 1978, said he had really enjoyed his work, odd bits of DIY around the house, and adored his three grandchildren.
Jayne, 60, said: “We have a little granddaughter who we used to have every day, going on the park and walking. And we used to do the school runs with the other two. We married at St John’s in 1981 and it would have been our 40th wedding anniversary next year. Both of our children were Christened there too.”
Peter’s daughter Nicola, a teaching assistant at St Peter’s Primary School, described her dad as “kind and chatty, helpful and very supportive”.
“He was outgoing and sociable and would chat to anybody,” she said.
“My work have sent lots of nice messages saying he was generous and kind and what a gentleman he was. He was just a lovely man and has gone too soon.”