Lee Bell
Encyclopedia
Lee Bell is an English professional footballer who plays for Crewe Alexandra
. As well as a previous spell at Crewe, he has also played for Shrewsbury Town
, Burton Albion
and Mansfield Town
.
academy system and made his debut for the first team on the opening day of the 2002–03 season. He made 22 appearances in the 2002–03 season, mostly as a substitute. He joined Football Conference
side, Shrewsbury
on loan in October 2003, but an injury restricted his opportunities and he returned to Crewe in January 2004. Bell established himself in the first team in December 2004, starting 18 times in the remainder of the 2004–05 season, and signed a new two-year contract in June 2005. After falling down the pecking order at the start of the 2005–06 season, Bell joined Burton Albion
on a one-month loan in October 2005, which was extended for a further month. He returned to Crewe and made 18 appearances in the 2005–06 season. A broken foot and an ankle injury caused Bell to miss the start of the 2006–07 season. After being limited to one first team appearance, he had a request to leave Crewe granted in January 2007, and joined Burton Albion on a contract until the end of the season.
Following a successful trial, Bell joined Mansfield Town
in August 2007. He made 27 appearances for Mansfield in the 2007–08 season, before suffering a serious knee injury in February 2008 that ruled him out for most of the rest of the season. After Mansfield Town were relegated to the Conference National
at the end of the 2007–08 season, Bell was released by the club, and joined Macclesfield Town
on a one-year contract. It was announced in April 2009 that he had been given a one-year extension to his current contract.
He has since become a fan favourite at the Moss Rose with songs such as "There's only one Lee Bell" being sung from the Star Lane End, due to his ability and preference to pass the ball along the floor.
He was released by the club, along with 10 other players at the end of the 2009/10 season.
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
. As well as a previous spell at Crewe, he has also played for Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
and Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
.
Career
Bell was a product of the Crewe AlexandraCrewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
academy system and made his debut for the first team on the opening day of the 2002–03 season. He made 22 appearances in the 2002–03 season, mostly as a substitute. He joined Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side, Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
on loan in October 2003, but an injury restricted his opportunities and he returned to Crewe in January 2004. Bell established himself in the first team in December 2004, starting 18 times in the remainder of the 2004–05 season, and signed a new two-year contract in June 2005. After falling down the pecking order at the start of the 2005–06 season, Bell joined Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
on a one-month loan in October 2005, which was extended for a further month. He returned to Crewe and made 18 appearances in the 2005–06 season. A broken foot and an ankle injury caused Bell to miss the start of the 2006–07 season. After being limited to one first team appearance, he had a request to leave Crewe granted in January 2007, and joined Burton Albion on a contract until the end of the season.
Following a successful trial, Bell joined Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in August 2007. He made 27 appearances for Mansfield in the 2007–08 season, before suffering a serious knee injury in February 2008 that ruled him out for most of the rest of the season. After Mansfield Town were relegated to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
at the end of the 2007–08 season, Bell was released by the club, and joined Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
on a one-year contract. It was announced in April 2009 that he had been given a one-year extension to his current contract.
He has since become a fan favourite at the Moss Rose with songs such as "There's only one Lee Bell" being sung from the Star Lane End, due to his ability and preference to pass the ball along the floor.
He was released by the club, along with 10 other players at the end of the 2009/10 season.