Durham-born England star Bell, 74, dies

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.

He helped City secure promotion to the top flight that year and was key as they edged out Manchester United to win the First Division title in 1968.

FA Cup success followed in 1969 as well as two more trophies in 1970 - the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

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, who was born in Hesleden, County Durham, 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 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.

“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.”

Mike Summerbee, a former City team-mate of Bell and now a club ambassador, told their official website: “Colin was a lovely, humble man. He was a huge star for Manchester City but you would never have known it. He was just the greatest footballer we have ever had.”

Tony Book, who captained City in the late 1960s and early 1970s, added: “He was a very special person, not only as a footballer but as a man - I can’t believe he’s gone.

“He is irreplaceable. We had some great times together and I’ll miss him terribly.”

Francis Lee told the club website: “He goes into the top five City players of all time - only in the last 10, 15 years has anyone else come along who can take that mantle.”

Former City team-mate Rodney Marsh, ex-England star Gary Lineker, Citizens hero Shaun Goater, FIFA and the England national team all also paid tribute to Bell, who won 48 caps for the national side between 1968 and 1975, on Twitter.