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Lee Bell (born 26 January 1983) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is manager of Crewe Alexandra.

Key Information

He began his career at Crewe Alexandra, also playing for Burton Albion, Mansfield Town and Macclesfield Town, before returning in succession to Crewe, Burton Albion and latterly Macclesfield Town on loan from Burton. Bell retired from playing in the summer of 2015, aged 32, and rejoined Crewe as under-18s coach,[2] later becoming under-18s manager (January 2017), under-23s manager (March 2022), assistant first team manager (April 2022), and then first team manager (November 2022).

Playing career

[edit]

Crewe Alexandra

[edit]

Bell was born in Alsager, Cheshire He is a product of the Crewe Alexandra academy system, having signed schoolboy terms with the club in 1997, on the same day as David Vaughan.[3]

In January 2001 he had a training ground bust-up with Colin Cramb, who subsequently left Gresty Road and indeed the country.[3] Despite this, Bell was awarded a professional contract in February 2001.[4] He made his debut for the first team, coming on as a substitute on the opening day of the 2002–03 season against Northampton Town.[5] A week later to his debut, Bell scored his first professional goal, in a 2–0 win over Colchester United.[6] His playing time at Crewe soon earned him a new contract in February 2003.[7] He made 22 appearances in the 2002–03 promotion campaign, mostly as a substitute.[8]

However, in the 2003–04 season, Bell lost his first team place following the arrival of Justin Cochrane[9] and joined Football Conference side, Shrewsbury on loan in October 2003,[10] but an injury restricted his opportunities and he returned to Crewe in January 2004.[11] Bell established himself in the first team in December 2004, starting 18 times in the remainder of the 2004–05 season,[12] and signed a new two-year contract in June 2005.[13]

After falling down the pecking order at the start of the 2005–06 season, Bell joined Burton Albion on a one-month loan in October 2005,[14] which was extended for a further month.[15] After a two-month loan spell at Burton Albion, Bell returned to Crewe[16] and made 18 appearances in the 2005–06 season,[17] scoring two more goals against Reading[18] and Brighton & Hove Albion.[19]

A broken foot and an ankle injury caused Bell to miss the start of the 2006–07 season.[20] After being limited to one first team appearance, he had a request to leave Crewe granted in January 2007,[21] and joined Burton Albion on a contract until the end of the season.[22] After making twelve appearances for the club, Bell was released.[23]

Mansfield Town

[edit]

After leaving Burton Albion, Bell went on a trial at Mansfield Town.[24] Following a successful trial, Bell joined Mansfield Town in August 2007.[25] Bell made his Mansfield Town debut in the opening game of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Brentford[26] and then scored his first Mansfield Town goal, in a 2–1 loss against Morecambe on 12 February 2008.[27]

He made 27 appearances for Mansfield in the 2007–08 season,[28] before suffering a serious knee injury in February 2008 that ruled him out for most of the rest of the season.[29]

Macclesfield Town

[edit]

After Mansfield Town were relegated to the Conference National at the end of the 2007–08 season, Bell was released by the club,[30] and joined Macclesfield Town on a one-year contract.[31]

After being on the bench in the opening game of the season against Shrewsbury Town, Bell made his Macclesfield Town debut, in a 2–0 loss against Bradford City on 16 August 2008.[32] Four months on 12 December 2008, Bell scored his first goal for the club, in a 4–2 win over Chesterfield.[33] He impressed at the club in 2008–09, making a total of 47 appearances, and signed a one-year extension to his contract in June 2009.[34][35]

He played 44 games in 2009–10, where he scored two goals against Dagenham & Redbridge[36] and Barnet.[37] As a result, Bell was voted the club's Player of the Year.[34][38] However, Bell was released by the club, along with ten other players, in May 2010.[39]

Crewe Alexandra (second spell)

[edit]
Bell in 2010

Bell was re-signed by Crewe Alexandra on a two-year contract in May 2010, with manager Dario Gradi looking to add experience to the squad.[40] Upon re-signing for Crewe, Bell revealed he took a pay-cut, in order to join the club despite other interest.[41]

Bell's first appearance since leaving the club three years earlier came in the opening game of the season, when they lost 1–0 to Hereford United.[42] During the 2010–11 season, Bell was one of three regular club captains, along with David Artell and Ashley Westwood.[43] Bell scored his first goal for the club and set up the fifth goal for Clayton Donaldson in a 5–5 draw thriller against Chesterfield on 2 October 2010.[44] However, Bell was involved in a confrontation with the club's supporters at the end of the game, an incident which caused Bell to apologise.[45][46] He went on to make 44 league appearances for the club during the 2011–12 season, having missed one game due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.[47]

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Bell said he was willing to share the captaincy with Artell and Westwood for the second time.[48] In January 2012, Bell suffered a groin injury.[49] He also required surgery for a hernia.[50] In a draw against Crawley Town on 2 April 2012, Bell conceded a penalty when he handled in the area. Crawley Town successfully converted to make it 1-1.[51][52] Bell went on to make thirty appearances for the club.

He helped the club to reach the play-offs in 2011–12, and was a last second substitute as the Railwaymen secured victory in the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium.[53] However, he was released by new boss Steve Davis a few days later, and was heavily linked with a move to nearby Port Vale.[54]

Burton Albion

[edit]

After leaving Crewe Alexandra for the second time, Bell went on trial at Burton Albion, linking with them for the third time of his career.[55] Bell was then involved in a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa, where he impressed.[56] Following his trial, Bell signed a one-year contract with Burton.[57]

Bell re-debut for Burton Albion for the third time in the first round of League Cup, in a 2–2 draw against Sheffield United and played 120 minutes. Bell was the only Burton Albion's player to be missed, as they beat them 5–4 in the penalty shoot-out.[58] In the next game in the opening game of the season against Rotherham United, Bell started in the match, but was sent-off in the 62nd minute after a second bookable offense, in a 3–0 loss.[59] After serving a suspension, Bell was able to make amends when he scored his first Burton Albion goal of the season, in a 3–1 win over York City on 19 September 2012.[60] In the second round of the FA Cup, Bell captained Burton Albion for the first time against his former club, Crewe.[61] Weeks later, on 29 December 2012, Bell scored his second goal for the club and setting up the second goal of the game, in a 2–0 win over Southend United.[62] Bell later added two more goals later in the season against Exeter City[63] and Dagenham & Redbridge.[64] During the season, Bell, who had captain the team for a number of games during the season, helped the club to their highest ever finish in the football league. Their 4th place in League Two saw them face Bradford City in the playoffs. Bell, however, received a four-game suspension for a red card given towards the end of the season and was unavailable for the final, should Burton Albion have reached it.[65] After the club were unsuccessful in the play-offs, Bell made 43 appearances in his first full season at the club. Bell won the club's Player of the Year award[66] and was rewarded with a new one-year contract in April 2013.[67]

In the 2013–14 season, Bell was appointed as the new club captain.[68] However, Bell was in and out of the starting eleven during the season, often featuring on the substitute bench.[69] Later in the season, Bell scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–0 win over Hartlepool United on 19 April 2014.[70] For the second time running. Bell helped the club reach the play-offs by finishing sixth place and ultimately reaching the final, which they lost 1–0 against Fleetwood Town.[71] After making 34 appearances for the club, Bell was once again rewarded with a one-year contract extension for the second time running.[72]

In the 2014–15 season, Bell missed the start of the season, due to a knee injury, which he sustained in the play-offs final three month earlier.[73] After making a brief return against Mansfield Town,[74] Bell find himself competing with newly signing John Mousinho over the starting eleven squad.[75] Bell scored his first Burton Albion goal of the season, in a 4–3 win over Carlisle United on 21 October 2014.[76] Following Gary Rowett's departure to Birmingham City, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was appointed new manager of the club. Under his management, Bell was rarely used in the first team, making only one substitute appearance,[77] and was informed by Hasselbaink that he would not feature in the team and he should look for a move.[78]

Macclesfield Town (loan) and retirement

[edit]

On transfer deadline day 2 February 2015, Bell returned to Macclesfield Town on loan until the end of the season.[79] Bell's first appearance for Macclesfield Town since leaving the club five years earlier came on 7 February 2015, playing 90 minutes, in a 3–2 win over Welling United.[80] Bell then scored three goals in three consecutive matches between 6 April 2015 and 18 April 2015 against Wrexham[81] Forest Green Rovers,[82] and Dartford.[83] Upon returning to his parent club, Bell was released by the club.[84]

Coaching roles

[edit]

Crewe Alexandra

[edit]
Bell applauding Crewe supporters at Sutton United in March 2023.

Bell retired from playing in the summer of 2015, aged 32, and rejoined Crewe as under-18s coach,[2] and was promoted to under-18s manager in January 2017 during a coaching reshuffle following the appointment of David Artell as new first team manager.[85] In March 2022, Artell reshuffled his team again and Bell was appointed under-23s manager,[86] before being appointed the assistant manager to Alex Morris when he became permanent manager on 28 April 2022.[87] On 4 November 2022, Bell was appointed Crewe Alexandra's interim manager after Morris stepped down for compassionate reasons to become assistant manager.[88][89] On 1 December 2022, Bell was given the job on a permanent basis.[90]

On 17 February 2024, Bell confronted the referee David Rock immediately after the final whistle of the club's goalless draw against Harrogate Town at Gresty Road. He was red-carded and later handed a one-game touchline ban, forcing him to watch Crewe play Morecambe on 2 March 2024 from the stands.[91] In his first full season as manager, Bell took the side to 6th place in the 2023–24 season; in the play-offs, they beat Doncaster Rovers to reach the play-off final,[92] where they lost to Crawley Town.[93]

On 16 December 2024, following a strong start to the 2024–25 season, the club confirmed that Bell had turned down an approach from another (unnamed) club, opting to remain at Crewe.[94][95][96] Under Bell, Crewe were in the automatic promotion places until late January 2025, but won just three of their last 18 games to eventually finish 13th.[97]

Personal life

[edit]

Bell was a columnist for the Burton Mail.[68]

Career statistics

[edit]

Player

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crewe Alexandra 2002–03[98] Second Division 16 1 2 0 0 0 4[a] 0 22 1
2003–04[99] First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2004–05[100] Championship 17 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 0
2005–06[101] Championship 17 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 2
2006–07[102] League One 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 53 3 4 0 1 0 4 0 62 3
Shrewsbury Town (loan) 2003–04[99] Conference National 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
Burton Albion (loan) 2005–06[101] Conference National 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
Burton Albion (loan) 2006–07[102] Conference National 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Mansfield Town 2007–08[103] League Two 23 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 28 1
Macclesfield Town 2008–09[104] League Two 41 1 3 0 2 0 1[a] 0 47 1
2009–10[105] League Two 42 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 44 2
Total 83 3 4 0 3 0 1 0 91 3
Crewe Alexandra 2010–11[106] League Two 45 1 1 0 2 0 2[a] 1 50 2
2011–12[107] League Two 30 0 1 0 1 0 4[b] 0 36 0
Total 75 1 2 0 3 0 6 1 86 2
Burton Albion 2012–13[108] League Two 43 4 4 0 3 0 1[a] 0 51 4
2013–14[109] League Two 34 1 4 0 2 0 3[c] 0 43 1
2014–15[110] League Two 5 1 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 7 1
Total 82 6 9 0 5 0 5 0 101 6
Macclesfield Town (loan) 2014–15[110] Conference 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 3
Career total 347 18 23 0 13 0 17 1 400 19
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy, three appearances in Football League Two play-offs
  3. ^ Appearances in Football League Two play-offs

Manager

[edit]
As of match played 1 November 2025
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Crewe Alexandra 4 November 2022 present 159 59 44 56 037.1 [111]
Total 159 59 44 56 037.1

Honours

[edit]

Crewe Alexandra

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lee Bell

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lee Bell (born 26 January 1983) is an English football manager and former professional footballer who played as a . He has been the manager of club Crewe Alexandra since December 2022. Born in , , Bell came through the Crewe Alexandra youth academy, making his first-team debut in 2002 during his initial spell at the club. He went on to make over 200 appearances for Crewe across two spells (2002–2005 and 2010–2013), with intervening periods at Mansfield Town (2005–2008) and Macclesfield Town (2008–2010), before joining Burton Albion in 2013 and retiring in 2015 following a loan return to Macclesfield. After hanging up his boots, Bell joined Crewe's coaching staff, initially working with the academy and under-21s teams, before serving as assistant manager and taking interim charge in November 2022. He was appointed permanent first-team manager on 1 December 2022 and remains in the role as of November 2025.

Early life and background

Childhood in Alsager

Lee Bell was born on 26 January 1983 in Alsager, Cheshire, England. He grew up in the town and attended Highfields Primary School.

Youth football development

Bell developed his early football skills locally before joining the ranks. Growing up in the town, he signed schoolboy terms with Crewe Alexandra in 1997 at the age of 14, entering one of English football's most respected academy systems known for nurturing technical talent and tactical awareness. This move marked the start of his structured youth development, where emphasis was placed on possession-based play and individual skill refinement, core principles of Crewe's philosophy under . Progressing through the academy ranks, Bell honed his central midfield role, focusing on passing accuracy and game intelligence. By his late teens, he had integrated into the club's reserve team, gaining competitive experience in youth and reserve fixtures that prepared him for senior football. The academy's approach, which prioritized long-term player growth over early exposure, allowed Bell to mature alongside other prospects, building resilience and versatility in a competitive environment.

Playing career

First spell at Crewe Alexandra

Bell emerged from Crewe Alexandra's academy system and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2002. He made his senior debut for the team during the 2002–03 season at the age of 19, appearing in 22 matches across all competitions as Crewe secured automatic promotion from the Second Division (now League One) by finishing as runners-up to Plymouth Argyle. In the league alone, Bell featured in 17 games and scored once, contributing to a campaign that saw Crewe elevate to the for the first time in their history. Despite his involvement in the promotion push, Bell struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the higher division during the 2003–04 season, managing only three league appearances. To gain more playing time, he was loaned to Shrewsbury Town in the Football Conference later that year, where he made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Scarborough on October 4, 2003. Upon returning, Bell featured in 17 league matches and one cup game for in the 2004–05 season. Bell's development continued with further loan moves in subsequent seasons. In 2005, he joined Burton Albion on a two-month loan in the Conference National, followed by another short spell there in 2007. These experiences helped him regain form, leading to 17 league appearances and two goals for in the 2005–06 season, including strikes against Reading and another opponent. He added six more outings in the during 2006–07 before his first spell concluded. Over his initial six years at , Bell amassed 68 appearances and three goals in all competitions (excluding loan spells), primarily operating as a central known for his tenacity and passing ability. Limited first-team exposure ultimately prompted his permanent transfer to Mansfield Town in August 2007, marking the end of his formative period with the Railwaymen.

Time at Mansfield Town

Bell joined Mansfield Town in August 2007 on a one-year following a successful trial, having previously been with Burton Albion. He made an immediate impact, debuting in the opening League Two fixture on 11 August 2007, a 1–1 draw away to , where he started in central midfield. During the 2007–08 season, Bell established himself as a regular starter for Mansfield, featuring in 23 league matches and accumulating 1,900 minutes of playtime. He scored his sole goal for the club on 12 February 2008, netting the winner in a 2–1 home victory over , which helped secure a rare win amid a challenging campaign. Earlier in the season, he received a straight red card during a 4–2 league win against County on 1 September 2007, after which Mansfield held on despite being reduced to ten men. Including cup competitions, Bell made 27 appearances in total but recorded no further goals or assists. Mansfield Town endured a dismal season, finishing 23rd in League Two and suffering relegation to the Conference National after winning just eight league games. Bell's contributions came in a squad struggling with defensive frailties and inconsistent form, though he provided stability in midfield. At the end of the season in May 2008, he was among seven players released by the club as part of a squad overhaul following relegation.

Spell at Macclesfield Town

Bell signed for Macclesfield Town on a free transfer from Mansfield Town in July 2008, joining the League Two club ahead of the 2008–09 season. As a central , he quickly established himself as a regular in the , making 41 league appearances and scoring once during his debut campaign, while contributing to the team's defensive solidity with nine yellow cards. His set-piece delivery proved valuable, notably assisting goals through corners and free-kicks in matches such as the 2–1 victory over Barnet in October 2008, where his corner led to the winning goal. In the 2009–10 season, Bell continued as a mainstay, featuring in all 42 league games and netting two goals, alongside five assists, which highlighted his growing influence in midfield. A standout moment came in the third round against side Everton in January 2009, where lost 1–0 but Bell earned the Player Rater man of the match award for his commanding performance. His consistent contributions culminated in being named Town's Player of the Season for 2009–10, reflecting his importance to the squad that finished 18th in League Two. Following the expiration of his contract, Bell was released by in May 2010 after two seasons that saw him make over 80 league appearances in total. He subsequently returned to his boyhood club on a two-year deal.

Second spell at Crewe Alexandra

Bell rejoined on 21 May 2010, signing a two-year contract following his release from Town. The move, orchestrated by manager , brought the 27-year-old midfielder back to his boyhood club after spells at Shrewsbury Town, Mansfield Town, and . Bell expressed enthusiasm for settling "unfinished business" at Crewe, prioritizing the opportunity over higher financial offers elsewhere. In the 2010–11 League Two season, Bell established himself as a regular in midfield, making 45 league appearances and scoring once. His contributions helped finish fifth and qualify for the play-offs, where he featured in the semi-final victories over Swindon Town (6–5 aggregate), scoring in the second leg during the 2–1 home win. However, lost the play-off final 1–0 to at on 29 May 2011. Bell also appeared in cup competitions, including the and , adding to his 50 total outings that season. The following 2011–12 campaign saw Bell continue as a key squad member, though limited by injuries to 30 league starts. secured seventh place and another play-off spot, defeating Southend United 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Bell played in all three play-off matches, including a late substitute appearance in the final against Town on 27 May 2012 at , where won 2–0 to earn promotion to League One—his second such success with the club. Over his second spell, Bell amassed 86 appearances and two goals, concluding his playing tenure in 2012 upon the expiry of his contract.

Period at Burton Albion

Bell joined Burton Albion on a one-year contract on 31 July 2012, following his release from Crewe Alexandra, marking his first permanent spell with the club after two prior loans in 2005 and 2007. As a central , he quickly became a regular in the League Two side under manager , contributing to a solid defensive record that saw Burton finish sixth and qualify for the play-offs in the 2012–13 season. In March 2013, Bell signed a contract extension keeping him at the until the summer of 2014. Over his time at Burton, he made 107 appearances and scored 6 goals across all competitions, often providing leadership and stability in midfield. By the 2013–14 season, he had been appointed club captain, guiding the team to another sixth-place finish and progression to the play-off final. In the 2014 League Two play-off final at on 26 May, Bell captained Burton in a 0–1 defeat to Fleetwood Town, starting the match and being substituted in the 78th minute after creating several chances, including a close-range effort saved by the goalkeeper. The following season, amid a managerial change after Rowett's departure to Birmingham City in October 2014, Bell scored his only goal of the campaign in a 4–3 victory over Carlisle United on 21 October. His playing time diminished thereafter, leading to a loan move to Town in February 2015.

Loan to Macclesfield Town and retirement

In February 2015, Bell joined Town on a from Burton Albion until the end of the 2014–15 season, marking his return to the club where he had previously played from 2008 to 2010. The move came after limited opportunities at Burton under manager , with Bell having been informed in December 2014 that he was free to seek a new club. At the time, were competing in the Conference Premier and sat third in the table under manager . During his loan spell, Bell featured in 10 matches for , contributing 3 goals as the team finished sixth in and reached the play-off semi-finals, where they lost 1–2 on aggregate to Lincoln City. His performances provided midfield experience to the squad, drawing on his prior success at the club, where he had made 91 appearances and been named player of the season in 2009–10. Bell's contract with Burton expired at the end of June 2015, after which he chose to retire from professional football at the age of 32. In August 2015, he transitioned immediately into coaching by rejoining Crewe Alexandra, his formative club, as under-18s coach on a full-time basis. This move allowed him to remain involved in the game while ending a playing career that spanned over 400 appearances across multiple leagues.

Coaching and managerial career

Academy roles at Crewe Alexandra

Upon retiring from professional football in the summer of 2015, Lee Bell rejoined Crewe Alexandra as an under-18s coach within the club's academy. In this initial role, Bell focused on developing young talent at the youth level, contributing to the club's renowned pathway for academy graduates to the first team. His work emphasized technical skill development and competitive match preparation, aligning with Crewe's long-standing philosophy of producing homegrown players. In January 2017, Bell was promoted to under-18s manager, taking full responsibility for leading the youth team in competitive fixtures. Under his management, the team achieved notable progress in the , advancing to the fourth round in the 2018–19 season after a 2–1 victory over Bristol City in the third round, despite facing significant challenges such as injuries and illness that limited squad depth. Bell praised the resilience of his players and the standout performances, such as those from Sam Booth, highlighting the group's competitiveness even when not at their peak. During this period, several academy products under Bell's guidance began transitioning to higher age groups or first-team training, underscoring his role in Crewe's player development system. Bell's academy tenure continued to evolve, and in March 2022, he was appointed under-23s manager following a club reshuffle, succeeding Alex Morris in that position. This role involved overseeing the professional development squad, bridging the gap between youth and senior football, and integrating promising talents into first-team sessions. Just a month later, in April 2022, Bell stepped up further as assistant first-team manager to Alex Morris, marking the end of his direct academy coaching responsibilities while maintaining influence on youth integration. Throughout his academy roles, Bell's progression reflected Crewe's internal promotion culture, where former players like himself contribute to sustaining the club's reputation for nurturing talent.

First-team management at Crewe Alexandra

Lee Bell was appointed as interim first-team manager of Crewe Alexandra on 4 November 2022, following the departure of Alex Morris to become assistant manager at Bolton Wanderers. During his interim spell, Bell oversaw four matches, securing three victories (1–0 wins over Leyton Orient in the , and Colchester United and Swindon Town in League Two) and one defeat (0–3 to in the ). His successful interim period led to a permanent appointment on 1 December 2022, marking his first full-time managerial role after progressing through the club's academy coaching ranks. In his partial 2022-23 season, Bell guided to a 13th-place finish in League Two, stabilizing the team after a challenging start under Morris that had seen them languish near the relegation zone. The side accumulated 58 points from 46 matches, with notable improvements in defensive organization and youth integration, reflecting Bell's emphasis on the club's academy products. This season laid the foundation for subsequent progress, as Bell focused on building squad cohesion amid limited resources. Bell's first full campaign in 2023-24 saw Crewe finish sixth in League Two with 71 points, qualifying for the promotion play-offs for the first time under his management. In the semi-finals, Crewe overcame Doncaster Rovers in a two-legged tie, losing 0–2 at home before a 2–0 away victory at the Eco-Power Stadium (aggregate 2–2), advancing 4–3 on penalties despite a poor run of form leading into the play-offs. However, they fell short in the final at Wembley Stadium on 19 May 2024, losing 2-0 to Crawley Town, with goals from Danilo Orsi and Liam Kelly denying promotion to League One. The defeat highlighted Crewe's struggles in high-stakes knockout football but underscored Bell's ability to elevate the team to contention. Entering the 2024-25 season, Bell continued to prioritize a possession-based style infused with academy talent, aiming to end Crewe's three-year stint in League Two. As of November 19, 2025, after 16 matches, the team sits eighth in the table with a record of 8 wins, 2 draws, and 6 losses, accumulating 26 points and positioning them in the promotion hunt. Recent results include a 3–1 league win over Shrewsbury Town (November 8), a 3–1 win at Burton Albion (November 11), and a 0–0 draw at Athletic (November 15). Bell's tenure, now spanning three years and 162 competitive matches, has been characterized by steady improvement and a commitment to the club's youth development philosophy, though challenges like inconsistent form have tested his resolve.

Career statistics

As a player

Lee Bell began his professional playing career with Crewe Alexandra in 2002, primarily as a midfielder, and retired in 2015 after a loan spell at Macclesfield Town. Over his career in English football, he made 347 appearances, scoring 18 goals across League One, League Two, the Championship, National League, and cup competitions (statistics exclude assists due to inconsistent historical tracking). His statistics by club are summarized below (league and domestic cups only):
ClubYears ActiveAppearancesGoals
Shrewsbury Town (loan)200330
Crewe Alexandra2002–2008, 2010–20121284
Mansfield Town2007–2008231
Macclesfield Town2008–2010, 2015 (loan)936
Burton Albion2005, 2007 (loans), 2012–20151007
Career totals: 347 appearances, 18 goals.

As a manager

Lee Bell's managerial career began in November 2022 when he took over as at Crewe Alexandra, before being appointed permanently in December 2022. As of 19 November 2025, his record as first-team manager stands at 162 matches, with 61 wins, 45 draws, and 56 losses, yielding a win percentage of 37.7% and an average of 1.41 points per match. This performance has been achieved exclusively with Crewe Alexandra in and cup competitions, where he has emphasized a balanced 4-2-3-1 formation. The following table summarizes Bell's seasonal record at Crewe Alexandra (all competitions):
SeasonMatchesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Goals ForGoals AgainstPoints per Match
2022/23321191234%Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specified
2023/245722171839%Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specified
2024/255217171833%Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specified
2025/26 (to 19 Nov 2025)21112852%37261.67
Total16261455638%2092081.41
Data compiled from multiple sources; goals for/against totals reflect overall career figures. Bell's tenure has included notable achievements such as guiding to the League Two play-offs in the 2023/24 season, though they were eliminated in the semi-finals. His overall goals scored average 1.3 per match, compared to 1.3 conceded, highlighting a competitive setup.

Honours and achievements

As a player

During his playing career, Bell won the Crewe Alexandra Player of the Year award in the 2012–13 season. He contributed to Crewe Alexandra's survival in League One during his early years and later helped the team in League Two, though no major team titles were won during his tenure.

As a manager

Bell has guided Crewe Alexandra to notable achievements in EFL League Two, including qualification for the play-offs in the 2023–24 season, where they reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by Doncaster Rovers. He was nominated for the Manager of the Season award in 2024. Additionally, Bell received a nomination for the Manager of the Month award for 2024. As of 2025, have not won any major honours under Bell's management.

References

  1. https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/december/lee-bell-appointed-first-team-manager/
  2. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lee-bell/profil/spieler/14158
  3. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn51gqdvnq9o
  4. https://www.alsagerhighfields.com/news/summer-skerratt-primary-premier-league-stars-award/70395
  5. https://www.crewealex.net/teams/first-team/leebell
  6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/8694819.stm
  7. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lee-bell/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/14158
  8. https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bell-goes-search-first-team-action-5662989
  9. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/107948/shrewsbury-town-scarborough
  10. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18971051
  11. https://www.crewealex.net/news/2025/november/06/-it-s-more-than-just-a-job-to-me----bell/
  12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/6929763.stm
  13. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/44020-lee-bell
  14. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lee-bell/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/14158
  15. https://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/Seasons/2007-08/League22007-08.htm
  16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/7405428.stm
  17. https://www.skysports.com/football/player/3910/lee-bell
  18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8002149.stm
  19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7803311.stm
  20. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31097887
  21. https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/8191825.bell-makes-shock-return-settle-unfinished-business-alex/
  22. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18001648
  23. https://www.thetimes.com/article/lee-bell-welcomes-second-chance-with-burton-albion-zxt8kdg3jb6
  24. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27465323
  25. https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-baker-swaps-roles-crewe-9917390
  26. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lee-bell/profil/trainer/69615
  27. https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/crewe-alex-the-club-proud-15541894
  28. https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/crewe-alexandra-reshuffle-lunt-morris-23381109
  29. https://crewe.nub.news/news/local-news/crewe-alexandra-confirm-appointment-of-new-first-team-manager-161214
  30. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/crgygex110jt
  31. https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/19/crawley-town-crewe-alexandra-league-two-playoff-final-match-report
  32. https://fbref.com/en/squads/f13a527f/Crewe-Alexandra-Stats
  33. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32241
  34. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lee-bell/profil/trainer/69615
  35. https://www.besoccer.com/coach/lee-bell-56075
  36. https://www.crewealex.net/news/2024/april/lee-bell-and-callum-agius-nominated-for-efl-awards/
  37. https://www.crewealex.net/news/2024/december/congratulations-to-lee-bell/
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