Craven stalwart receives accolade (From Craven Herald)

Craven stalwart receives accolade

1:56pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

Cononley’s Donald Bell has received a special accolade to mark 50 years service to Craven football.

He was presented with the Football Association’s Long Service Award on Saturday by West Riding County FA chairman Barry Chaplin, at Cononley Sports Club.

It is a fitting tribute for someone who started playing with Cowling Juniors in 1959.

Bell progressed to the first team, before moving on to Crosshills Youth Club – now Crosshils AFC.

In 1976 he suffered a broken leg. To help his recovery he refereed for a season before going back to Cowling.

In 1980 he joined Cononley Sports Club and played for nine seasons before an injury at the age of 45 brought his playing career to an end. Having been captain for all the teams he had played for it was a natural progression to become manager, a position he held until 2003.

Bell was elected chairman of Cononley Sports Club in 2001, a position he held for ten years.

Although at the present time he holds no official capacity with the club, Donald is seen on the touchline every week freely sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience.