There has been mixed reaction from fans as Crewe Alexandra appoint new permanent manager in Lee Bell, making the announcement on Thursday.
The former footballer came through the renowned club’s academy to play in the Championship under Dario Gradi and progressed in the same group as Dean Ashton, Ben Rix, Michael Higdon and David Vaughan and went on to make 62 first-team appearances during his first spell with the Railwaymen.
He helped the club win promotion back to the second tier in his first season, scoring the club’s goal of the season against Colchester United in August 2002 and played 22 times for them as they won automatic promotion when finishing runners-up to Wigan Athletic.
Bell went on to have loan spells at the likes of Shrewsbury and Burton Albion before joining Mansfield Town in 2007 on a permanent basis. He joined Macclesfield in 2008 and spent two seasons at the Moss Rose before re-signing for Crewe in the summer of 2010.
During his second spell with the club, Bell scored two goals in 86 appearances and once again helped the club to a promotion in 2012. He made 36 appearances during our promotion winning season and his final appearance was a late introduction as a substitute in the playoff win over Cheltenham at Wembley.
That summer, he signed for Burton Albion and was a big part of their promotion push in 2014, but on this occasion, he was on the losing side in the playoff final as the Brewers lost 1-0 to Fleetwood Town.
After a brief loan spell at Macclesfield, he returned to the Moss Rose to see out his remaining playing days, while also coaching a young age group at the Crewe Academy.
His became the assistant manager before being named interim manager and then signed up for the role permanently in December 2022, with the club sitting 15th in League Two, with 25 points from 18 games played.
👔 Crewe Alexandra are delighted to announce the appointment of Lee Bell as First Team Manager.#CreweAlex
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) December 1, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Crewe Alexandra are delighted to announce the appointment of Lee Bell as First Team Manager.
The Club conducted a comprehensive recruitment process. A total of 58 applications were received, and 12 were shortlisted.
Bell, who has devoted more than two decades to the Club as a player and coach, emerged as the outstanding candidate following a series of interviews.
He will lead the team with the crucial support of his backroom staff, including Assistant Manager Alex Morris, and Player Development Manager Kenny Lunt.
Chairman Charles Grant said: “I’m very pleased that Lee has accepted the position of First Team Manager.
“His driving ambition and clear objectives, allied with his deep understanding of Crewe Alexandra and strong relationships with existing staff, made him the standout candidate. We look forward to a positive future under Lee’s leadership.”
Bell said: “It’s an honour to be entrusted with the position of Manager at a Club that means so much to me. I’m grateful that the fans have been superb with me during my short period as interim manager, and the players have responded so positively.
“Now, with the support of Alex, Kenny and the other members of our coaching team, I’m excited and confident about the challenge that lies ahead.”
As mentioned, there was mixed reaction from fans as Crewe Alexandra appoint Lee Bell as their new permanent manager…
@ryheywood: I’d like to say I’m shocked, but I’m really not. This club is a laughing stock. I like Bell and really hope he succeeds but once again this whole process doesn’t seem right. 🤡
@MarkBirtles: People saying it’s the cheap option. Well maybe it is. We are skint. He’s got my backing and I wish him well.
@crewealex7: Good, valuable asset to the club. However, he will need game wide, experienced assistance, so look forward to the commencement of the Director of Football recruitment process…
@stevebrown491: No disrespect to Belly, but wrong decision imo – we need experience, not the same as we have had. As a team we are easy to play against, the same tactics every week, incapable of being proactive on the pitch (we just try and fail to react to the other team).
@xQueen_Piscesx: Good luck. He will have my backing. Have to say the chairman grant and the board have no back bone.
@scottnaylor101: Never in doubt. Absolute shambles by Charles Grant again
@StevenDale96: Yawn. Most predictable thing in world history. Just a shame I couldn’t find betting odds for it.
@GrestyRoadender: Well who’d have predicted that 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@BenjiiLaw: Nobody external apply then?
@Rb84377821: Joke of a club
@Dan__CAFC: Absolute pisstake what a joke, National League here we come #Grantout
@George57066542: charles grant with blood on his hands. safe option every time
@Rich_Hassall: Did he send his CV via Facebook? He might be the right choice but christ what a shit show behind the scenes
@BuckleyCharliee: Fuck off ruined my day you take the piss CG
@Railwayman1995: You can like the man, and I really like Lee Bell an awful lot, but it wasn’t the right appointment at this pivotal moment in time for the club. Why are Morris and Lunt still on the coaching staff after last seasons failure as well? Charles Grant is a joke. #crewealex
@flangelight: Good luck to Lee and his team, I’m sure they’ll try their best. BUT what a pantomime this interview process has been. Again. We’re in danger of making the Tory party leadership contests look like a model of democracy…
@BuckleyCharliee: If this goes to shit charles grant your in for a rollercoaster my god. You’re such a money man
@colclough_dan: Who’s next in line for the job? The fucking groundsman? Or maybe back to Morris? #crewealex
@rjb_1998: Just a very funny football club
@aitchyrobinson: Least surprising news I’ve seen for a while. I hope he’s a huge success and we end up renaming the Gresty Road End after him.
@Joseph7Kettle: Shock of the year
@scottnaylor101: If this doesn’t work out the place could turn toxic very quickly #CreweAlex
@ChrisLukeJones: Fuck off. Absolutely fuck off
@TheFMU: All the best Belly! Done a great job thus far let’s hope for more of the same! But to Charles Grant, if you’re intending to stay which sadly it seems you are. Then maybe stop making the club a less appealing option for players as they can see the shambles you’re creating.
@GeorgeMYNWA: Gutted to not have passed the recruitment process. Belly is a legend at the club I love but I thought my ability to get Crewe promoted back to league one and in playoff contention within two seasons on #FM23 would’ve held me in good stead. I won’t give up though. All the best LB.
Congratulations and hope it works out. Couldn’t this have been done and dusted within 1 day rather than pretend that a “recruitment process” was going to happen. pic.twitter.com/mHgB8IGNmP
— Pete (@1985Pete) December 1, 2022
— Max Bailey (@maxbailey96) December 1, 2022
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