It is with much sadness that we report the passing of one of the club’s great characters Phil Bell yesterday evening, when he sadly left us, after battling with cancer, whilst also recently suffering from dementia. Phil may have come across as your archetypal Yorkshireman, straight-talking, fiercely proud and loyal to his “God’s Own Country” roots. If you didn’t know he was from Yorkshire, he would quickly tell you. But beneath that façade, Phil was a genuinely caring, hardworking individual, with a good sense of fun, who illustrated these qualities, through his years of service to our rugby club, to which we have all benefited from his endeavours.

Phil joined Sandbach RUFC in the mid 1980’s, having moved to the area with work, as a telecoms engineer with the Post Office. Originally from Leeds, where he had already had a distinguished career., playing for the County and at the Roundhay and Headingley Rugby Clubs. Arriving in his mid 30’s, he was then in the twilight of his rugby career, but still regularly turned out in the 2nd XV and 1st XV when required. Having played on the wing earlier in his career, Phil played at fly half, where he liked to run the ball, with kicking being his least favoured option. Further he wasn’t adverse to a bit of a Rugby League high tackle when required, but he was even at that age a more than useful player.

Phil turned to coaching taking over the helm as Club Coach in 1988 and oversaw the Club’s rise to National 2 in 1990. When required he still would turn out for the 1st XV and famously played in the Select XV in the International Charity Game in 1989. Phil finished his stint as Club Coach in 1992 having seen his son Gary graduate from the Colts XV to 1st XV fly half. Phil moved to more social rugby now in his 40’s playing in the legendary Vets/ 3rd XV for a number of extremely successful years.

He also spent a time on sabbatical, as Gary, a talented player like his father, moved on from Sandbach, at the advent of professionalism, to play at a higher level and earn money at the same time. Accordingly Phil was often seen at Orrell, Macclesfield and Northwich, watching Gary progress.

Having returned to Sandbach once Gary stopped playing, Phil would take the role of organising Past Player lunches, a forerunner to our highly successful pre-match lunches. Before then taking on board the major role of Club Chairman in 2016. A post he held until 2019, contributing greatly to the running of the club, through a very successful period on the pitch and also helping in the transition from a member’s club to a limited company. Having stood down from his Director role, he remained a loyal supporter and was a regular attendee of virtually all the 1st XV games both home and away and helping his good friend Paul Thomas as Chairman and President in Alickadoo duties, until recently.

From all of us at Sandbach RUFC, thanks for your years of service to the club, both on and off the pitch. Rest in peace Belly, you will be greatly missed but take heart in the memories of the people, who knew you well. Sincere condolences from all at the club to Irene, Gary, Nicola, Katie, Paula, Gaz, Paul and the rest of the family.

Phil’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 5th August at 2.00 pm at the Birches Crematorium and Remembrance Park, Birches Lane, Lostock Green, CW9 7SU. Following the service everyone is warmly invited back to the club for refreshments.

The family have said they are more than happy for the club members to wear their Sandbach RUFC blazers in recognition of Phil, if you have one.