Bell, James

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Fullname: James Bell
aka: Jamie Bell
Born: 30 March 1866
Died: 14 April 1941
Birthplace: Mauchline
Signed: August 1890 (from Mauchline FC)
Left: 1891 (to Hurlford)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Hearts 0-5 Celtic, League, 23 Aug 1890
Internationals: N/A
International Caps: N/A

Biog

Mauchline-born James Bell signed for the then recently formed Celtic in 1890 from Mauchline FC having spent sometime also at Dumbarton. It is believed and reported that he was the first Protestant to play for Celtic, a clear sign that the club was growing from its original Catholic church foundations. Despite that the players were still all referred to in some sources as “The Irishmen“.

James Bell made history by being part of the first Celtic team to play league football* when the Bhoys travelled to Edinburgh to face Hearts on August 23 1890**. The Celts won comfortably with Bell keeping a clean sheet in a 5-0 drubbing. Next thing you know, Celtic were deducted 4pts, as James Bell was not cleared for the game as he had not as yet completed a fortnight clear of his last match at his previous club.

Actually, his first league outing with Celtic was the 4-1 defeat to Renton which was later annulled, and this result was to be marked as void! A fortunate event for James Bell as it was said that he had given an “inglorious display“.

Possibly his highlight in his time was helping Celtic win their first great trophy, the Glasgow Cup at 2nd Hampden (Cathkin Park) on 14 February 1891 when the cry was “Celtic have won a cup at last!”. A notable step on the journey for Celtic, although Celtic did finish third in the inaugural league title campaign which itself was another notable achievement.

His last match was in the League Charity Cup final which Celtic lost 3-0 to inaugural league title joint winners Dumbarton with “The Celts not in their usual fine form… and retired beaten, after a very mediocre display”. It likely signalled the end of his time at Celtic, with the irony being the defeat was against his former club. However, Celtic had not lost to Dumbarton in the two league games against them during the past season (or even against joint league title winners Rangers).

It could be counter-argued that he was unfortunate to miss out on being part of Dumbarton’s historic inaugural (joint) league title winning side, although whether he’d have been the first choice goalkeeper or not is now a moot point, both having conceded the same number of goals (21) in the league that season, the joint lowest in the league race that season and was lower even than that of Rangers. So it can be argued that Dumbarton already had a player in goals at least as good as James Bell.

That season was to be James Bell’s only campaign with Celtic as he was released in 1891, and he then moved down to Ayrshire to play for Hurlford, but he was leaving with an admirable record. It should be remembered this was a time when there was little protection for goalkeepers and many were heavily physically abused in challenges. Defences were mostly quite bare, with formations of 2-2-6 the most common at the time.

He later had a spell with Kilmarnock in season 1893-94.

He passed away in April 1941, a good long worthy innings.

* Celtic’s first game in the Scottish League was at home to Renton but the visitors that day were later expelled from the competition and their games declared void.
** Celtic were deducted 4 points, because they played James Bell in the game against Hearts. He was not a complete fortnight clear of his last club match.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Glasgow Cup

• 1891

Pictures

• Player Pics

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Notes

• Wikipedia claims Celtic got James Bell from Mauchline FC rather than Dumbarton (having left them in season 1888-1889).

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