Former Port Vale chairman Bill Bell dies after long illness
JOHN Rudge has led the tributes to former Port Vale chairman Bill Bell following news of his death this afternoon at the age of 81.
Mr Bell, who was chairman of Vale between 1987 and 2002, passed away after a long illness.
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TRIBUTES: Bill Bell.
"I am very sad to hear of his passing," said Rudge, "and my thoughts go out to his family at this sad time."
Rudge, was served under Bell for 12 years, said they shared great times as chairman and manager during Vale's heyday in the 1990s.
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They twice won promotion together to what is now the Championship, while the club also travelled to Wembley three times in various competitions.
"We had some fantastic success during that time," Rudge added, "and obviously as chairman he was very much a part of that. They were great years for Port Vale Football Club."
Current chairman Paul Wildes Tweeted this afternoon: "Very sad news that former chairman Bill Bell has passed away. I have some big shoes to fill and hope to do him proud over the coming years."
Flags will be lowered to half mast and Vale players will wear black armbands when they play Morecambe at Vale Park on Saturday.
And fans will pay their own respects tonight when the official supporters' club is expected to stage a minute's applause at their annual meeting.
12 Comments
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by VantaaVale
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 8:37AM
“R.I.P. Bill.
Bill Bell together with John Rudge transformed the club during the 80's and 90's. Memories I will never forget.”
by YeniYamani
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 7:45AM
“I remember good times in the company of Bill at the North Staffs Sporting Club Trentham in the 80's. I also remember that Bill personally delivered my first company car in 1980, a Morris Ital, how many car franchise owners would do that today ! I remember he was a funny, straight talking, no-nonsense man and I am saddened by his passing.”
by Potterspeil
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:43PM
“A simple message.
Hostilities and rivalry aside; the thoughts of decent Stokies are with the Bell family at this time.
RIP.”
by Glennard
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:19PM
“Typically kind and gracious comments from JR - well said. What wonderful times he presided over, it is a shame it ended so badly and I still cannot forget the "dirt under the fingernails" remark.
RIP”
by pottsy1010
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 8:50PM
“r.i.p. billy bell, the vale will miss you”
by Nicko12324
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 7:49PM
“RIP Bill.....you gave us Vale fans some great memories. No one can take that away from us or you!”
by PVFCinLincs
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 7:40PM
“RIP Mr Bell. Thank you for your support at Vale Park during your time there. Plenty of memories of you and John Rudge putting together some great teams and beating teams in higher divisions during FA Cup Runs.”
by ValiantFosse
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 7:30PM
“Thanks Bill for some exciting years, pity you will not be able to see the new era in the Vale Park you changed so much. RIP and thoughts with the family.”
by BobfromLeek
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 5:56PM
“RIP Mr Bell,thoughts with your family.
Hope Vale go onto achieve promotion in your honour this season.
From a Stoke City fan.”
by stokeandvale
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 5:44PM
“Good bloke was Bill, I recall me and my mate had left our tickets in the works van for the Vale vs Stoke match and could not get hold of the van as a workmate had took it.
We went down to Vale ground in the morning to be told there were no tickets left.
The lady at Vale said Bill may have some spare ones, but he was at his garage at hot lane Smallthorne. We shot up there and told Bill our sad story and he opened up his wallett and pulled out two tickets and gave them to us. We asked him how much and he said dont worry about it lads. RIP Bill”