Lanarkshire stalwart David Bell passes away

THE SFWA is saddened to learn of the passing of David Bell who was a stalwart of the press boxes of Lanarkshire.

David, who was 77, was well known to many members who covered Motherwell and Hamilton Accies and they remember him as being a good colleague and solid professional.

David joined the Hamilton Advertiser in December 1969 as a district reporter, later becoming sports editor, before taking on the editorship of the Rutherglen Reformer.

Between 1975 and 1995 he worked as a press officer for Glasgow District Council, before spending three years with Beattie Communications and setting up his company called Bell Media in 1998.

David covered the Accies for 40 years and Motherwell for 30, and was also editor of Airdrie programme Broomfield Bullet and the Motherwell Fir Park News.

He was also treasurer and vice-chairman Lanarkshire branch of the National Union of Journalists and received a lifetime membership from the union in 2010.

Former Hamilton secretary Scott Struthers said: “David was a more than familiar figure in Lanarkshire football, and while he covered all our home games for the news agencies, if we were away then you’d find him at Motherwell, or Airdrie, or the juniors.

“Many will recall him around the Lanarkshire junior grounds over the past ten years or so as well. He was always very gentlemanly, very meticulous and he will be missed.”

He died on August 26 after a long illness and his funeral was held on September 4.