Jimmy Bell, a stand-off, signed for
Featherstone Rovers from junior rugby and made his debut against Hull KR in
September 1937. With competition for the number six shirt from Ray Hamer and
Bill Hughes, he was limited to just four appearances with the first team. Although
his impact as a player wasn’t enormous, Jimmy’s lasting legacy to the Rovers’
cause came in the shape of his four sons, all of whom made the grade at Post
Office Road. He was also club groundsman for a number of years.
Jimmy’s eldest son Roy, also a
stand-off, was recruited from a fine vintage of junior players in 1957 at the
same time as Terry Clawson and Malcolm Dixon. He made his debut against
Doncaster in November that year, and marked the occasion with two tries. Over
the next four seasons he challenged the incomparable Joe Mullaney for a place
in the team, and managed 40 games and scored 15 tries. Inevitably he became
frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities, and when he was sold to
Wakefield in February 1961 Rovers received a then record fee of £3,000.
In March 1964 versatile half –back
Peter Bell made his debut against Dewsbury, deputising for Ivor Lingard. He
went on to play 23 games over the following four seasons. Two years later his
brother John Bell, a centre, broke into the first team. John went on to play 20
senior games over five seasons from 1965 to 1970. Towards the end of the
1965/66 John and Peter played a few games together in the first team, with
Peter at stand-off and John at centre.
In 1971, Jimmy’s youngest son Keith
signed for Rovers. Initially a hooker, he was understudy to Keith Bridges, but
he gradually established himself in a formidable pack as a ball-handling loose
forward. Keith went on to become one of Rovers most faithful players, playing
in an incredible 19 seasons. He was awarded a benefit season in 1984/5 which
coincided unfortunately with the miners’ strike. His final tally of 417 games
has been bettered by only three other players in the history of the club. With
his crafty ball distribution, and useful drop goals (66 in his career)Keith
played under a long succession of coaches, picking up Cup and championship
winners medals along the way. After finishing at Rovers in 1990 he played a
couple of years at Hunslet before hanging up his boots at the age of 39. Since
then he has been involved with coaching at Featherstone Lions.
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