Norman Bell

Bell began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers as an apprentice in 1971, and turned professional in 1973.^[3] He made his senior debut for the club on 23 September 1975 in a goalless draw with Aston Villa,^[4] but appeared only a handful of times in that season, which ended in relegation from the First Division.^[5]

Overlooked for the club's 1976–77 promotion campaign, he returned to the fold in the following season.^[5] With John Richards sidelined, Bell played regularly in the 1978–79 season,^[6] until breaking his leg in an FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace in February 1979. As a result of the injury and the addition of Andy Gray to the Molineux attack, Bell next featured in the first team more than a year later, in March 1980, when Wolves fielded a weakened side a few days before the League Cup Final.^[7][8] He found it hard to gain regular football and eventually left to join Blackburn Rovers in November 1981.^[5] In total, he scored 24 goals in 100 games for Wolves.^[3]

He stayed with Rovers for two-and-a-half seasons in the Second Division^[2] before moving into non-league football as player-manager of Darwen.^[9]

Since retiring from football Bell had various sales-related jobs before working with young offenders for Blackburn with Darwen Council.^[9] Bell's son Andy also became a professional footballer,^[10] and his uncle Harry Bell played in the Football League in the 1940s and 1950s.^[9]

• Norman Bell at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
• Stats and photo at Sporting Heroes