As the sad news broke last night that Colin Bell had passed away at the age of 74, tributes from the footballing world poured in - not only to mark his achievements in football, but also to remember what a "lovely, humble man" he was.
Nicknamed 'The King of the Kippax' by Manchester City fans, he was at the heart of the club's successful side of the late 1960s and 70s making 492 appearances for City over 13 seasons, scoring 152 goals.
But while he is rightly remembered as a City legend, it was in another corner of Greater Manchester where he first made his mark.
Bell was a youth player with Horden Colliery Welfare before joining Second Division Bury as a teenager - and he quickly established himself at Gigg Lane, becoming the Shakers captain.
Between 1963 and 1966 he made 82 appearances, scoring 25 times for the club - and he spoke movingly in 2019 about the club's struggles and expulsion from the Football League amid financial woes.
"Why Bury? The feel of the club has not changed over the years. It’s hard to believe what’s happened," he told the Daily Mail.
"[...] the people were so friendly.
"They wanted the club to do well. It was wonderful, because I was just a shy lad from the North East. Leaving home was a big wrench but it didn’t feel like it in the end. It was like moving from family to family. They were all the same. Everybody cared for you.
"I could’ve gone into my shell and not produced anything. The difference was that homely effect they had. So many people wanted to know you and help. Being so happy and relaxed in that second family down in Bury, I performed as I should have done and didn’t look back.
"That was all down to Bury and the supporters."
Bell's name lives on in the 'Colin Bell Stand' named after him at the Etihad Stadium.
He is survived by wife Marie, children Jon and Dawn and grandchildren Luke, Mark, Isla and Jack.
