Billy Bell (footballer)
William John Bell was an English professional footballer who played as an outside left. He was born in Backworth, Northumberland.
Bell began his career with Chopwell Institute, later moving to Blyth Spartans. In 1923 he had an unsuccessful trial with Aston Villa and the following year joined Lincoln City. He scored 3 times in 20 league games for Lincoln before joining non-league Mansfield Town.
In 1925 he joined Leicester City, playing 41 times over the next five years before joining Torquay United in 1930. He started the season as first choice on the wing for Torquay, but lost his place due to the emergence of future England international Ralph Birkett in the side. Bell scored 6 times in 28 leagues, with a further goal in four FA Cup ties that season, which was to be his only at Torquay and his last in league football.
