FAREWELL TO AN IBROX CULT HERO
Bell set standards for those around him and will always be woven into the fabric of Rangers
THE depth of service which Jimmy Bell gave to Rangers was almost beyond words. Yet, poignantly, James Tavernier was able to find a few to put it into some sort of context.
In an emotional tribute posted on Instagram, the Rangers club captain wrote: ‘Although he was officially a “Kitman”, he was much, much more than that.
‘Few people are synonymous with a football club in the modern-day era. He was at Ibrox for longer than I have been alive.’
Over 30 years in total. Rangers are now a club united in grief as they mourn the sudden passing of their ‘much-loved, legendary kitman’ after Bell’s death at the age of 69.
A truly iconic figure at Ibrox, Bell was a boyhood Rangers fan who grew up in Wishaw. He started his journey with the club by driving the team bus to and from matches all over the country.
He had been a mechanic and a bus driver with Park’s of Hamilton, which initially brought him into contact with Rangers chairman Douglas Park way back when.
He was then moved to a new role which put him in charge of all first-team kit — and so began a relationship which endured through thick and thin.
There are some names at Ibrox who only ever need to be mentioned in singular terms; Souness, Walter, Gazza, Gough, McCoist, Ferguson, Laudrup.
Some are instantly identifiable even in the absence of their name; The Goalie. Figures who will forever be idolised.
Jimmy Bell rubbed shoulders with some of the greatest players and managers to ever walk through the doors of Ibrox and, without exception, he was a friend to all of them.
More than that, they all looked up to him. He was a man who commanded respect and set the standards for all those around him. He was there through the good times in the 90s and the nine-in-arow era. He saw Manchester in 2008 and will no doubt be there in spirit as Rangers aim to repeat the trick tomorrow night.
He was also an incredibly loyal man. When Rangers were plunged into financial ruin in 2012, staff cuts were always going to be inevitable.
But Bell stayed with them on every step of the journey as they made their way back up through the divisions. He became part of the furniture at Ibrox and enriched the lives of everyone who had the good fortune of ever being in his company.
He worked under 11 different full-time managers, going all the way back to Graeme Souness and the dawn of the trophy-laden era of the 90s.
Some of his stories with Paul Gascoigne back in the day are the stuff of legend. The two of them share a wicked sense of humour and bounced off each other to comical effect.
He could also be capable of a withering putdown as and when required, as former Rangers winger
Josh Windass would testify. When Windass asked for a pair of gloves to be laid out with his kit, Bell replied: ‘Laudrup never wore gloves.’
Bell was a true blue in every sense of the term. He would lay out jelly beans on the table for players arriving at training, but would get rid of the green ones.
When Barrie McKay turned up one day with a pair of electric green boots, Bell removed the studs so that he couldn’t wear them.
He even named his dog Fergie, after former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson.
His passing will feel like the loss of a family member to so many supporters. This was a man who epitomised everything about what it meant to be a Ranger.
For someone who never actually played for or managed the club to hold such iconic status speaks volumes about their character and their love for the place.
Bell’s name is woven into the fabric of Rangers and Ibrox will inevitably be fuelled by grief and emotion for tomorrow night’s Europa League semi-final with RB Leipzig.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who had first met Bell as a player at Ibrox over 20 years ago, led the tributes yesterday as the club said farewell to one of their favourite sons.
Bell had been in the technical area alongside Van Bronckhorst as
Rangers drew 1-1 away to rivals Celtic last Sunday.
‘I am devastated to learn of the sad passing of my friend and colleague, Jimmy Bell,’ wrote Van Bronckhorst in a poignant Instagram post.
‘I had a special relationship, I loved being around him, both as a player and subsequently as manager.
‘He was a hard working, dedicated and selfless Ranger, who epitomised everything this great club stands for. He will be sorely missed by everyone at Rangers.
‘I send my thoughts and prayers to the Bell family at this difficult time.’
Rangers defender Connor Goldson said: ‘Nobody outside of our club will ever understand how much you epitomised Rangers.
‘From the moment you walk through the doors, whether it be a as a player or a member of staff, you reminded every person of the standards required.
‘You truly touched me and you will never be forgotten. I’ll never think of Rangers without thinking of you. RIP my friend.’
Rangers chairman Park said: ‘As a club, we are absolutely devastated to learn of the loss of our colleague and, more importantly, our dear friend, Jimmy Bell.
‘Jimmy dedicated his life to Rangers Football Club. Having worked under managers from Graeme Souness through to Giovanni, he experienced some of the greatest days in our 150-year history.
‘Of course, he was here during some of the lowest points, and showed selfless dedication, regardless of the challenge ahead of him. Jimmy’s work ethic was second to none. He dedicated countless hours to preparation for each training session and game. No job was too big or too small for him, and he thrived on working for his boyhood club.
‘I spoke with Jimmy regularly, having known him from his time as a mechanic and bus driver at Park’s. He was excited for Thursday night’s game at Ibrox (against RB Leipzig), particularly having experienced a European semi-final before under Walter Smith.
‘Rangers, and Scottish football as a whole, have lost a legend and a friend today. He was a family man, a devoted father, grandfather and husband. Jimmy will be sorely missed and I send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Bell family at this difficult time on behalf of Rangers Football Club.’