Family pay tribute to Manchester City legend Colin Bell at his funeral

Friends and family of Manchester City legend Colin Bell have today their respects today at his funeral in Hale.

Colin passed away earlier in the month and the funeral was held this afternoon at St Peter’s Church in Hale, with a private ceremony for a limited number of mourners.

His former City team-mate Mike Summerbee attended the service alongside first team coach Brian Kidd, Tony Book and Joe Corrigan. Several of Colin’s football friends and colleagues also attended, including Peter Barnes, Dennis Tueart, Gary Owen, Alex Williams, Brian Horton, Tommy Booth and Dave Watson.

Prior to the service, the hearse took a full circle of the Etihad Stadium perimeter, stopping outside the entrance to the Colin Bell Stand, which is freshly emblazoned with a giant graphic of him. The graphic, in addition to the one which appears opposite the player’s tunnel, will remain in place for the remainder of the season. Staff already working at the stadium today also paid their respects, with a socially distanced lining of the route outside the stadium.

The drive around marked the paying of respects for the Manchester City legend, with the funeral service which followed very much a tribute to Colin as a family man. Classical singer, Russell Watson sang at the service, with Summerbee delivering an address in which he shared thoughts and memories of his friend and team-mate.

After the service Mike Summerbee said: “Today was a very emotional day for everyone. Colin was obviously a terrifically gifted player whose career touched the lives of a great number of people through his football. But more than that he was a wonderful friend to me.

“It was incredibly touching and fitting that his final route was able to visit the stadium, and I am truly honoured that Marie, Jon, Dawn and the family allowed me to say a few words about a great man.”