While with Ayr Parkhouse (then still to join the Scottish Football League), Bell was spotted by former Newton Heath half-back Will Davidson, who reported his findings back to Manchester United.

At this stage, it was less than a year since United's formation in place of the bankrupt Newton Heath club, and they were still in the Football League Second Division, from which they won promotion in 1906.

As it happened, Bell excelled in his new position, and became the club's regular left-half, forming an unbreakable trio with Charlie Roberts and Dick Duckworth.

[3] After scoring 10 goals in 309 appearances,[4] and winning two First Division titles (1907–08 and 1910–11) and one FA Cup (1909), Bell was sold to Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £1,000 in July 1913.

He played there for two seasons and spent one with Royal Albert,[5] before retiring as a player and joining the coaching staff at Coventry City.