.gif)
Gary Bell (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gary Bell is an English
former professional footballer. During his career, he made over 350 appearances in The Football League
in spells with Cardiff City
, Hereford United
and Newport County
.
as a left winger when he was spotted by Cardiff City
and signed professional terms with the club, along with George Andrews
for a fee of £2,100. He made his debut in September 1966 as a left half against Wolverhampton Wanderers
. His debut was far from impressive as he gave away two penalties during a 7-1 defeat by the Midlands side. He struggled to make an impact on the side until he was converted to a left-back by manager Jimmy Scoular
and he established a strong full back pairing with David Carver
. He was a virtual ever present from then on but eventually losing his place to Freddie Pethard
. He was loaned out to Hereford United
during his last season at Cardiff and was allowed to join Newport County
following his return.
He was a vital part of Newport's team during his spell at the club before he moved into Welsh league football with Bridgend Town
. Bell now works alongside other former Cardiff players, such as Roger Gibbins
and Brian Clark
, in the clubs hospitality lounges on matchdays.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former professional footballer. During his career, he made over 350 appearances in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
in spells with Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
and Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
.
Career
Bell was playing local football for Gornal AthleticGornal Athletic F.C.
Gornal Athletic F.C. are a football club based in Lower Gornal, near Dudley, in the West Midlands, England. They were established in 1919, and have always played in Lower Gornal, a village between Sedgley and Dudley. They have reached the 1st round of the FA Vase six times in their history...
as a left winger when he was spotted by Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
and signed professional terms with the club, along with George Andrews
George Andrews (footballer)
George Andrews was an English professional footballer during the 1960s and 1970s. He is probably most notable for scoring Walsall's winning goal in their shock FA Cup third round victory over Newcastle United in January 1975.-Career:Andrews began his career as an apprentice with Luton Town in the...
for a fee of £2,100. He made his debut in September 1966 as a left half against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
. His debut was far from impressive as he gave away two penalties during a 7-1 defeat by the Midlands side. He struggled to make an impact on the side until he was converted to a left-back by manager Jimmy Scoular
Jimmy Scoular
James "Jimmy" Scoular was a Scottish football player and manager. Known as a tough, combative player with precise passing skills, Scoular made over 600 appearances in The Football League with Portsmouth, Newcastle United and Bradford Park Avenue, as a player-manager, and attained nine caps for...
and he established a strong full back pairing with David Carver
David Carver (footballer)
David Francis Carver is an English former professional footballer.-Career:Carver began his career at his hometown club Rotherham United and after establishing himself in the squad he was signed by Jimmy Scoular, then manager of Cardiff City for a fee of £11,000 in January 1966...
. He was a virtual ever present from then on but eventually losing his place to Freddie Pethard
Freddie Pethard
Frederick James "Freddie" Pethard is a former Scottish professional footballer. He was born in Glasgow.Pethard began his career at Celtic but failed to make an impact on the first team and was released by the club...
. He was loaned out to Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
during his last season at Cardiff and was allowed to join Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
following his return.
He was a vital part of Newport's team during his spell at the club before he moved into Welsh league football with Bridgend Town
Bridgend Town F.C.
Bridgend Town F.C. is a Welsh football club that currently play in the Welsh Football League First Division. They are based in Bridgend in south Wales. Historically, their local rivals were Maesteg Park who disbanded in 2009...
. Bell now works alongside other former Cardiff players, such as Roger Gibbins
Roger Gibbins
Roger Graeme Gibbins is an English former professional footballer. He represented England at Schools level....
and Brian Clark
Brian Clark (footballer)
Brian Donald Clark was an English professional footballer. He is probably most famous for scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Cardiff City against Real Madrid in the first leg of the European Cup Winners Cup quarter-final in 1971.-Career:The son of former Bristol City player Don Clark,...
, in the clubs hospitality lounges on matchdays.
Honours
Cardiff City- Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
Winner: 7
-
- 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74
- Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
Runner-up: 1
- Welsh Cup
- 1971–72
- 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74