Laurie Bell

Stanley Lawrence (Laurie) Bell was born in Langbank, Scotland, in May 1875. A centre-forward, he played for Dumbarton and Third Lanark in the Scottish League before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 1895.

In one game he was involved in an incident with William Foulke in a match against local rivals Sheffield United. Foulke later recalled: "It was really all an accident. Just as I was reaching for a high ball Bell came at me, and the result of the collision was that we both tumbled down, but it was his bad luck to be underneath, and I could not prevent myself from falling with both knees in his back. When I saw his face I got about the worst shock I ever have had on the football field. He looked as if he was dead." As Foulke weighed twenty stone it was a nasty accident but Bell recovered to continue his Football League career.

After scoring 10 goals in 47 games for Sheffield Wednesday Bell was transferred to Everton in 1897. That season Everton finished 4th in the First Division with Bell netting 17 goals in 41 appearances. However, he was on the move again and he joined Bolton Wanderers in 1899. The club had just been relegated to the Second Division. Bell was a great success at Bolton and helped the club win promotion in the 1899-1900 season. Bell was the club's top scorer with 23 goals.

Bell broke his leg in a game against Newton Heath in April 1902. He recovered to take his total of goals for Bolton Wanderers to 45 in 103 games before leaving to join West Bromwich Albion. After scoring 6 goals in 16 games he returned to Scotland where he played for Hibernian.

Laurie Bell died in 1933.