Colin Bell dead: Manchester City legend passes away aged 74

Manchester Metropolis legend Colin Bell has died after a brief sickness, aged 74.

Bell spent 13 years as a participant at Maine Street, profitable each the primary and second division titles in addition to the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup.

He’s extensively considered one in every of Metropolis’s greatest-ever gamers, scoring 117 targets in 394 league appearances from midfield, and was dubbed The King of the Kippax.

Bell has a stand named in his honour on the Etihad Stadium.

Metropolis mentioned in an announcement launched on Tuesday night time: “It’s with the deepest disappointment and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of Manchester City legend Colin Bell.

“Colin handed away peacefully this afternoon after a brief, non-Covid associated sickness, aged 74. He leaves behind spouse Marie, youngsters Jon and Daybreak and grandchildren, Luke, Mark, Isla and Jack.

“He’s extensively regarded to be the best Metropolis participant of his era, making 492 appearances and scoring 152 targets for the Membership throughout a 13-year keep.

“Few gamers have left such an indelible mark on Metropolis.

“Referred to as Colin The King, in 2004 followers voted to call a stand contained in the Etihad Stadium after him and his title continues to be sung often at matches.”

Metropolis will stroll out in shirts from Bell’s period in Wednesday night time’s Carabao Cup semi-final towards Manchester United with the No.8 on the again.

United posted their very own tribute, tweeting: “All of us @ManUtd are deeply saddened by the passing of Colin Bell, a real footballing legend. Condolences to Colin’s family members and everybody @Man Metropolis. #ACityUnited.”

Bell performed 48 occasions for England over a seven-year interval, together with on the 1970 World Cup, scoring 9 targets.

He additionally represented Bury and San Jose Earthquakes throughout his skilled profession.

Former Metropolis star Shaun Goater posted: “@ManCity you may have my deepest condolences to the Bell household. There’ll solely ever be one King Colin Bell. RIP.”

Fellow ex-Metropolis participant Paul Dickov added: “Devastated to listen to of passing of Colin Bell… One of many biggest if not THE biggest participant to ever put on the Metropolis shirt & greater than something the nicest & most humble man you may ever meet.

“Ideas, love & prayers to all of the Bell household RIP Legend.”

Metropolis chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak mentioned: “Colin Bell will all the time be remembered as one in every of Manchester Metropolis’s biggest gamers and the very unhappy information at the moment of his passing will have an effect on all people related to our membership.

“I’m lucky to have the ability to converse often to his former supervisor and teammates, and it’s clear to me that Colin was a participant held within the highest regard by all those that had the privilege of taking part in alongside him or seeing him play.

“The passage of time does little to erase the recollections of his genius. The truth that now we have a stand on the Etihad Stadium named after Colin speaks volumes concerning the significance of his contribution to this membership.

“Colin was extremely humble and a modest and understated man with an apparent interior power of character. He was clearly comfy with who he was and what he had achieved within the recreation.

“For the remainder of us, there may be all the time the considered what may need been if damage had not affected his profession. Undoubtedly extra trophies for Metropolis and way over the 49 England caps to his title.

“Our Membership has misplaced a real nice. Everybody’s ideas and finest needs are with Colin’s household.”