Introduction
David Anthony Bell (born 21 January 1984) is a former professional footballer. A midfielder, he played for Norwich City, Coventry City, Luton Town, Rushden & Diamonds and Notts County and is currently manager of Corby Town.
Playing career
The 2006–07 season was very much a breakthrough season for him as he went from a squad player at Luton to one of the club's key players under Mike Newell and Kevin Blackwell. In January 2007 he was given a contract extension, running through to 2010.
At the end of season awards, Bell won the Internet Player of the Season and Young Supporters' Player of the Season – an achievement few fans believed possible at the start of the season, as Bell had not even broken into the starting line-up at the season's beginning.
On 28 March 2008, he joined Leicester City on loan with a view to a permanent transfer. However, Leicester's relegation to League One meant the permanent deal did not go ahead.
On 23 July 2008 it was confirmed that Bell had agreed a three-year deal with Norwich City, signing for an undisclosed fee. His debut for the club was delayed by an ankle injury incurred before his signing. He finally made his first appearance in a home defeat to Derby County on 4 October 2008.
On 29 January 2009, he signed for Coventry City, for a fee believed to be on the region of £500,000.
Bell scored his first goal for Coventry on 21 March 2009 with a 45-yard strike against Doncaster at the Ricoh Arena. Bell scored in Coventry's FA Cup 3rd round tie draw at Premier League club Portsmouth on 2 January 2010.
On 19 July 2013 Bell signed for Notts County after being released from his contract with Coventry.
On 24 January 2014 Bell was released by Notts County by mutual consent and signed for King's Lynn Town.
Coaching career
On 19 October 2016, Bell was appointed as Assistant Manager to fellow former Rushden & Diamonds academy product Gary Mills at Corby Town. Bell became Corby manager in May 2017 after Mills left the club.
Statistics
Stats according to Soccerbase
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rushden & Diamonds | 2000–01 | Conference | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | Division Three | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2002–03 | Division Three | 30 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 3 | |
| 2003–04 | Division Two | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2004–05 | League Two | 40 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 3 | |
| 2005–06 | League Two | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 3 | |
| Total | 122 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 140 | 10 | ||
| Luton Town | 2005–06 | Championship | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006–07 | Championship | 34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 | |
| 2007–08 | League One | 32 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 | |
| Leicester City (loan) | 2007–08 | Championship | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Luton Town Total | 75 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 89 | 8 | ||
| Norwich City | 2008–09 | Championship | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Total | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||
| Coventry City | 2008–09 | Championship | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| 2009–10 | Championship | 28 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2010–11 | Championship | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 | |
| 2011–12 | Championship | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | League One | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 94 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 6 | ||
| Career totals | 316 | 22 | 18 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 353 | 24 | ||