Bell took a number of positions in the Anglican church, and was Curate of Benwell (1901–06), Alnwick (1906–07), Whittingham (1907–08), Christchurch (1908–11) and St. Andrews (1911–15).
His first season with Cambridge began well, though when he suffered a shoulder injury in the December game against Cardiff, his team lost the match they were leading before he left the field.
The England team contained just two players with any prior international experience, and the eight members of the pack, which included Bell, were all first caps.
The game ended in a scoreless draw, which allowed the Scots to retain the Calcutta Cup as the current holders.
After leaving Cambridge, Bell continued to play rugby, and turned out for both Blackheath and Northern, and in the 1897/98 season was selected for the invitational touring team, the Barbarians.