Fergus Bell


Fergus Bell is an ex English footballer who played as a central midfielder during spells at Sunderland, Hibernian, Monza, Mansfield Town, and Yeovil Town.
Bell currently operates as a property developer as Director of North East-based firm FiftyTwo Group.

Career

Early career

After his spell at Sunderland, Bell signed for Hibernian, where he was a member of the Hibernian Under 19s side that won the Under-19 league and Scottish Youth Cup double in the 2008–09 season. He scored five goals during the team's run in the 2008–09 Scottish Youth Cup, finishing as one of the competition's top goalscorers. He was also a member of Hibs' successful East of Scotland Shield winning side in 2008–09. Bell was one of six players in the side who were given new contracts by Hibs following their success. Bell left Hibernian after failing to agree terms on a new contract at the end of the 2009–10 season following a year affected by injury. Bell was one of two English players handed a trial with Spanish club Celta Vigo during the summer of 2010.

Jerez Industrial

Bell joined Spanish club Jerez Industrial in Segunda B division during 2010, after ex England Manager Glenn Hoddle's take over of the club and introduction of his Academy, which was based in Montecastillo, Spain. The club received widespread media coverage over Europe and back in the UK after the influx of English players and coaches including Nigel Spackman, Graham Rix and Dave Beasant. There he went on to make 36 league appearances scoring 7 goals in the process and collecting the "Lo mejor de febrero" - 'Player of the Month' award for February.
After leaving Spain following financial issues at Jerez Industrial, Bell spent a short period of time on a non-contract basis at Championship outfit Barnsley FC under boss Mark Robins. During this time, Bell had a trial spell with Blackburn Rovers, but was not offered a contract.

Mechelen

Bell moved to Mechelen on an 18-month contract during the 2012–13 season under newly appointed manager Thierry Pister.

KSK Heist

In July 2013, Bell signed for Heist, making his debut vs Royal Antwerp on 11 August 2013.

A.C. Monza Brianza 1912

After only one month and a half at KSK Heist, Bell was the subject of speculation regarding interest from Italian Lega Pro club Monza. On 28 August, both clubs came to an agreement which allowed Bell and one other player to move to Italy.
Bell's full debut for the Biancorossi, came in a 3–0 win over Vicenza Calcio in the Coppa Italia.

Mansfield Town

After leaving A.C Monza, Bell agreed to join Mansfield Town under manager Paul Cox on 11 July 2014. The second of Stags summer signings to have previously played for A.C Monza. He first appeared as a second-half substitute in a friendly against Notts County, contributing to a 3–1 home win for the Stags against their League One rivals. Bell's first goal for the club came the following week in a pre season fixture vs Lincoln City; a spectacular long range strike in a 3–1 victory for the Stags. After an impressive start to the season, featuring twice in The Sun Newspaper 'Team Of The Week', Stag's manager Paul Cox praised Bell during his annual Supporter's Association speech by stating; "I look at the squad and players like Ryan Tafazolli and Fergus Bell, and I'm going to be honest, by Christmas there will be a queue of people wanting to sign them" "sic"
Bell went on to make 21 appearances in all competitions for Mansfield before completing a move to Yeovil Town during January 2015.

Yeovil Town

On 29 January 2015, Bell signed for League One side Yeovil Town under Gary Johnson. Bell proved to be manager Gary Johnson's final signing before his almost immediate departure less than a week later on 4 February, in due course finding himself out of favour with the incoming caretaker manager Terry Skiverton.
Following Skiverton's departure as first team manager and the appointment of Paul Sturrock, Bell featured in Yeovil's end of season Somerset Cup campaign where he scored two goals in the semi-final, and was duly given an opportunity in the upcoming League One fixtures. During an injury hit spell, Bell made a handful of appearances for the club before departing at the end of the season following Yeovil's relegation to League Two.

Torquay United

On 19 September 2015, Bell signed for Devon side Torquay United on non-contract terms following recovery from injury. Bell made six appearances for the Gulls before leaving the club for personal reasons. Manager Kevin Nicholson, who described Bell as being on an 'unsustainable deal', going on to add "His attitude was bang on, but the deal that Fergus was on was unsustainable for him and I wasn't in a position where I could give him anything better.".