Hell's Bells

Gonna Make You a Star

On the 7th December 1974 David Essex topped the charts for the first time with "Gonna Make You a Star". On the same day 19 year old rookie goalkeeper Tony Bell was given his own chance to shine. First choice 'keeper Iam Mcfaul was injured and previous reserve Martin Burleigh was on his way to Darlington

Lonely this Xmas

United were 8th in the table at the time whereas Spurs were struggling in 16th. But United were also without regular centre-back Glen Keeley and his replacement was the inexperienced Dennis Laughton. With Terry Hibbitt also out the side had a makeshift look about it.

Meanwhile the cockney crooner sang on "Well I know I'm not super hip and I'm liable to take a slip......."

Early in the second half - with the match goalless - Spurs take a short corner and ("Nice One") Cyril Knowles swings a cross into the area.

The cross is too close to Wor Tony and he plucks it out of the air. But, he has misjudged slightly and he has to arch backwards to gather the ball

As the United players applaude him warmly he lands awkwardly on his left foot and then falls backwards onto the grass

Unfortunately the impact of him hitting the deck causes the ball to bounce out of his hands and drop apologetically across the line

Tony contemplates the situation on the grass; knowing that the game is being televised and his gaffe will be remembered for ever.

Perhaps he was humming "Lonely this Christmas" the soon to be number one for Mud or maybe he was wondering what impact this would have on his career

You're my first, my last my everything

Newcastle eventually lost 0-3 and Tony Bell was never given another chance in the first team. He was released the following May and joined South Shields. He never played another professional game.

A week later Mr. Essex was replaced at Number 1 by Barry White and the words of the Love God now seem very poignant. I know there's only, only one like you. There's no way they could have made two. You're all I'm living for. Your love I'll keep for evermore. You're the first, you're the last, my everything