John “Jackie” Russell Bell was born at Evenwood, 10 October 1939.  He played for Newcastle United between 1956 and 1962, just after the club had won the FA Cup 3 times in 5 years.  He played alongside club legends such as Ronnie Simpson, Jimmy Scoular, Bob Stokoe, George Eastham, Bobby Mitchell, Len White and Ivor Allchurch.  He was a wing half, making 117 appearances, scoring 8 goals. In 1962, he was transferred to Norwich City where he made 48 appearances and scored 3 goals and in May 1965, Jackie signed for Colchester United making only 7 appearances.   He retired from the professional game in 1966 through injury.