Bell couldn’t face going the distance with Gala

Football icon Dougie Bell is donating the proceeds from a new biography to two charities close to his heart.
Dougie Bell with his new autobiographyDougie Bell with his new autobiography
Dougie Bell with his new autobiography

Signed Twice by Fergie, written by Archie McLeod and with a foreword by legendary ex-Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, looks back over the career of the former St Mirren, Rangers and Hibernian midfielder best remembered as part of the Aberdeen squad that lifted the European Super Cup in 1983.

In it, the 61-year old recalls fond memories of a career during which he was twice signed up by former Falkirk forward Sir Alex, first as an apprentice at St Mirren then at Aberdeen, and almost joined Gala Fairydean Rovers.

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In 1995, he agreed to join the then East of Scotland Football League side after leaving Elgin, but concerns about commuting made him change his mind before he’d even got back home to Cumbernauld.

In the book, he describes Gala Fairydean as “not a name to strike fear in opposition hearts but consistently a good side”.

He adds: “Gala is in a nice part of the world but a bit of a trek from home, which turned out to be a problem before I even got started with them.

“I went to see them and I agreed decent terms with them and then headed home.

“I wish I had taken a bit more time about the decision.

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“On my way home, I was going over in my head the discussion I had with them and the proposition was becoming less appealing. It wasn’t helping that I was really struggling with the journey on A and B roads that was taking forever.

“I decided to deal with it immediately and I phoned them when I was still on the way home.

“The offer was good and they did nothing wrong and it wasn’t their fault in any way, but I turned down the contract.

“WhenI got back from Gala, I got a phone call from Alloa.”

All proceeds from the book will go to the Glasgow-based Beatson Cancer Charity and Denny’s Strathcarron Hospice, the latter having looked after Bell’s late wife Hazel.

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“The book is dedicated to her,” he explained. “Archie McLeod, who I knew from my gym, approached me about writing one, and we both agreed to donate the proceeds to Beatson and Strathcarron.

“The staff at the hospice were wonderful and I’m happy to be able to do this for them.

“The book’s title obviously mentions Alex Ferguson, who got in touch when my wife was ill and also made a donation to the hospice after her passing, as did members of Aberdeen’s Gothenburg Greats squad, which was a really nice thing to do.”

Bell’s book can be bought via Amazon in paperback for £5.99 or for Kindle for £2.99.