The son of Manchester City legend Colin Bell has hit back at claims there was ‘no feeling’ in the club’s latest title win. The Blues beat West Ham 3-1 on Sunday to be crowned Premier League champions for the eight time.
Their tenth top-flight title, it is their fourth in a row – a feat previously unmatched in the history of English football. Fans invaded the pitch amid jubilant scenes at the Etihad Stadium and in the city centre afterwards.
Their victory has however sparked comments about the healthiness of City’s dominance and concerns about the competitiveness of the league.
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Guardian sports writer Jonathan Liew shared one such article on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “Once more, without feeling.”
In the opinion piece, he claims the Blues have become ‘too good for their own good’. He said their victory was ‘another Manchester City title that only Manchester City truly care about, and even they occasionally appear to be going through the motions’ and that there was a ‘glorious familiarity to these rituals’.
Dr Jon Bell responded to the suggestion there was any lack of meaning to Blues supporters. Dr Bell, a consultant radiologist and clinical director at The Christie, is the son of City hero Colin Bell, who won a host of major trophies with the club in the 1960s and 70s.
Colin, who has a stand named after him at the Etihad, died in January 2021 aged 74. Responding to Mr Liew’s tweet, Jon said: “There was a lot of feeling yesterday.
“Sharing these moments with loved ones is special & remembering those no longer with us. A great football club with great supporters.” His post was accompanied by pictures of family members at the game, some of whom posed with Kevin De Bruyne on the pitch afterwards.
A number of fans also added their voice to the sentiment. Maz said: “Exactly Jon, winning the league meant a lot to alot of people. My dad was lucky to see City’s success in the 60/70’s I only wish he was here today to see this.”
Peeper said: “Totally agree, I was there yesterday, I was thinking about my brother who we lost a year ago and my grandad who took me to my first game over 50 years ago both mad City fans, they would have loved it!.”
The club will celebrate their historic achievement with an open-top bus parade on Sunday evening, May 26, regardless of the result in Saturday’s FA Cup final against United.