[8] The Bell was similar to any number of midday racing tissues that proliferated in the big industrial towns of the midlands and the north.

Printed on one side of a single sheet, it carried the latest news from the courses, the selections of the leading morning papers, and up-to-date betting odds from the principal clubs.The Sporting Bell ultimately grew into the Sporting Chronicle newspaper Hulton founded in 1871 with financial backing from Edward Overall Bleackley (1831–1898), a local cotton merchant.

[2][8][9][10] Sales were boosted by the decision of several local newspapers including The Manchester Guardian to restrict racing coverage to appease the growing anti-gambling sentiment in society.

[2][4][21] Edward sold his publishing business based in London and Manchester, which included a large group of newspapers, for £6 million when he retired in 1923.

[30][31] Hulton's fourth daughter, Dame Margaret, DBE (1867–1950), was the second wife of Baron Strickland, 4th Prime Minister of Malta, marrying him in 1926.