THE SPORTING community and west Cumbria as a whole has mourned the passing of a “great lad” and sporting legend from Workington Town’s glory days.

Former Workington Town player and coach, Eric Bell has died after testing positive for Covid last week and being hospitalised with pneumonia last month.

Mr Bell, who was known fondly as ‘Ecky’ was originally from Greysouthern but will be remembered by many in Allerdale, particularly in the sporting community.

A spokesperson for Workington Town said: “It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the passing of former Town player and coach Eric Bell. Ecky was a one club professional and a stalwart at Town for many years. A lovely man often to be found chatting about the Town and rugby in the Pack Horse at Seaton.”

Cliff Hodgson, a 70 year stalwart of rugby league and a contemporary of Eric’s said: “He was a great lad. We played in the same team in Broughton Moor Under 19s.

“Ecky was the captain, we had a pretty good team. He was a brilliant captain and he was always one of the best players in the league when he signed for Workington Town. He never lost his place.

Mr Hodgson said: “When he signed for Workington Town, he was in the A team with Frank Foster and Paul Charlton.”

Mr Bell coached at Seaton for two to three seasons after his time with Workington Town. As well as a respected coach, captain and player, Mr Bell was a much loved character personally.

Mr Hodgson said: “He was a lad that kept himself to himself but he liked a pint at the weekend. He’s was a key part in my life, he was always there to help everybody.”

Mr Bell leaves behind his wife Ann, his son Michael and daughter Karen who now lives in Australia.