Derek Stewart Bell (born 19 December 1963)[1] is a former professional footballer who played for Newcastle United and, later as a semi-professional, for Gateshead, as a midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Derek Stewart Bell | ||
| Date of birth | 19 December 1963 | ||
| Place of birth | Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Newcastle United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1980–1984 | Newcastle United | 4 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2002–2004 | Gateshead | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Bell joined Newcastle as an apprentice in 1979,[2] and made four first team appearances (one as a substitute).[1] He sustained a serious knee injury in a reserve match against Manchester United, and, after leaving Newcastle, he played semi‑professional football for Gateshead, while working in Newcastle City Council's housing department.[3] Bell was also manager, director and chairman at Gateshead.[4]
During his time at the Montagu and North Fenham boys football club in the late 1970s, Bell was sexually abused by Newcastle coach George Ormond. When Bell was working with finding homes for refugee children in the late 1990s and saw Ormond lurking, he decided to secretly record a confession from the coach.[3] Bell was among seven former players at Montagu and North Fenham who gave evidence in a 2002 trial of Ormond that led to his conviction on 13 indecency charges.[2] In November 2016, amid the United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal, Bell waived his right to anonymity and accused Newcastle of attempting a cover-up.[2]
Bell left his council job after he was made to find new homes for paedophiles.[3] He suffered from alcohol abuse, had three divorces and attempted suicide three times.[3] He was convicted in 2009 of violence against his wife.[3] He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Derek Bell". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Conn, David (1 December 2016). "Newcastle United accused of a cover-up in 1990s by sex abuse victim Derek Bell". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Conn, David (29 November 2016). "Former Newcastle player on being abused: 'It was horrific. He thought it was normal'". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- ^ "The Derek Bell Hall of Fame". Gateshead FC supporters club. Retrieved 29 November 2016.