Alexander Bell, the son of Scottish parents, was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1882. The family returned to Scotland and Bell played as a centre forward for Ayr Parkhouse.

Bell was purchased for £700 by Manchester United in 1902. At his new club he became a left-half. As Garth Dykes (The United Alphabet) has pointed out: "Never a showy player, his quiet effectiveness in both defence and attack was of a very high order and he was always a credit to himself and the side."

Bell won the First Division Football League title with Manchester United in 1908 and 1911 and the FA Cup in 1909.

On 16th March 1912, he won his first and only international cap for Scotland against Ireland.

After scoring 10 goals in 278 games for his club, Bell was transferred to Blackburn Rovers in July 1913 for £1,000. In the 1913-14 season Blackburn won the league title. Bell, who had been purchased as cover for the half-back line of Albert Walmsley, Percy Smith and Billy Bradshaw, played in 11 games.

Alex Bell worked as a trainer with Coventry City in 1921-22. He held a similar position at Manchester City until his death on 30th November 1934.

The United Alphabet is available from Amazon

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