Fifty years ago today (23 February 1976) Manchester City manager Tony Book had hoped to give Colin Bell a run out in a rearranged Reserve game but sadly Book’s hopes were dashed when the player pulled up in a training session. The City boss commented: ‘He is still feeling the effects of a calf strain and there was no point in gambling him for this afternoon’s match.’
The news was released several hours before the Central League meeting with Sheffield United when a bumper afternoon crowd was expected to see their hero. In the end his absence kept the attendance down to 2,017 – not bad for a Monday afternoon – for this 2-2 draw but it was still more than double the previous reserve game.
Once the reserve game was out of the way, City focused on Wembley. Colin Bell did travel as part of a 17-man squad to a health farm as part of the League Cup final preparations, but it was clear he was unlikely to play. Book told the Manchester Evening News: ‘We will take the situation from day to day, but frankly I can’t see him making it by Saturday. I am disappointed not only for myself and the team, but for Colin himself.’
Despite the news about Bell, City’s second League Cup final in three seasons was eagerly anticipated. The opponents would be Newcastle on 28 February.
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Gary James' Football Archive 