The Tameside Radio presenter and Manchester City supporter tells us about a special celebration he was part of to remember a club legend.

What a weekend to be a Blue! First, I was invited as a guest of Robert, a big fan of Colin Bell, to be part of a celebration of the King at the Newcastle match at the Etihad Stadium. I had to be down at the ground, bright and early, at 7am for the 12.30pm KO, which was a bit of a challenge because I’d been co-hosting a charity event the night before. It’s a good job I don’t drink! 

On arrival we all had a breakfast roll before taking a stadium tour, which I’ve previously hosted but never been on as a customer. Next, we were driven over to the CFA (the training ground), in golf buggies to be shown into the club’s own TV studios, which I’d never seen before. The designers of City’s home kit, for this season, which was designed as a tribute to Colin Bell who had become a friend during our time together working on his autobiography, told us how the shirt had been conceived. 

Their attention to detail was impressive as they explained why the club badge is in the centre of the shirt, just like when Colin played and that the crown on the inside of the collar was a replica of a homemade crown Colin had received from a fan, back in the day. I’d seen the crown at Colin’s house, when writing the book, along with his medals, which were brought to last Saturday’s event for the others, in our group, to look at close up and handle. 

Close to kick off I was handed a 2023 home shirt with “8 Bell” on the back and were invited to line up in the centre circle like middle aged mascots for a quick picture before the game started. I was honoured to represent my friend and my hero, even though I was embarrassed to waddle out to the middle. To cap it all the love of Colin’s life, his wife Marie, came and said hello. The day was completed by a comfortable 2-0 win against Newcastle which included a wonderful goal by local lad Phil Foden. 

The word that kept springing into my mind, as City took another vital three points in their pursuit of Arsenal, was Alert! Every player seemed fully focussed and sharply alert to where they were, what the next pass would be and where their opponents were a threat. City showed signs of being back to their irrepressible best. Later in the afternoon the stool was kicked out from under us Blues by the late stoppage time winner by the Gunners against Bournemouth. There’s still a long way to go though! 

On Sunday I’d hoped for a Liverpool win against United, to prevent the Reds from breathing down our necks in the title race and so it proved and more. A seven-goal thrashing at Anfield, as a lifelong Blue, was a joy to behold and completed a near perfect weekend. 

I’ve learnt though, over the years, not to crow too much when these perfect scenarios happen because football has a habit of turning on it’s head just when you least expect it. If City beat Vincent Kompany’s Burnley and United despatch Fulham at Old Trafford, we could yet see the two derby rivals face each other at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final of even in the final itself. That will be huge! 

The month of March feels like it might be the calm before the storm as the domestic season builds momentum towards the grand finale, with April promising to be the defining month. I can’t make my mind up about how many trophies City will win this season, but one thing is for sure, it will be dramatic and exciting. It is, and will always be, Great to be a Blue!

🏃 Tour of Tameside 2023 🏃

We're proud to be delivering this year's four-day running festival, which takes place from 15 to 18 June. 

Find out more and book your place here. 

Want more local sport stories?

Head to https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/sport/ to see more of our coverage - from community and non-league football to local and county cricket, boxing, athletics, basketball, Esports and golf.