Not all footballers win their medals on the Pitch
14th July 2026
2nd Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell VC
In this World Cup final week lets remember the only professional footballer to be awarded a Victoria Cross, Second Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell.
Donald Simpson Bell
Donald was born on 3rd December 1890 in Harrogate in Yorkshire. After graduating Harrogate Grammar School, he attended Westminster College London to do teacher training. His talent as a footballer stood out at college and he played on armature terms with Crystal Palace. After graduation he returned to Harrowgate and played for the reserve side of what was then, as remains today, the greatest football team in the world, Newcastle United FC, before moving on to play for Bishop Auckland.
Donald then became a school teacher in his native Harrowgate. As a way of boosting his income, in 1912, at the age of 22, Donald signed a professional contract with Bradford Park Avenue. Originally known as simply Bradford FC they quickly changed their name to distinguish themselves from their cross-town rivals Bradford City. He only had 6 starts for the club in both defence and midfield up until 1914.
As soon as war was declared, Donald became the first professional footballer to sign up, joining the West Yorkshire Regiment. Having been promoted to Lance Corporal he was then commissioned into the 9th Battalion, the Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment) and was shipped to France in November 1915. He was in reserve for the first day of the Somme offensive, Donald and the 9th battalion were ordered to the front on the 5th July 1916.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in Horseshoe Trench on 5th July 1916. His citation in the London Gazette in September 1916 read as follows;
For most conspicuous bravery.
During an attack a very heavy enfilade fire was opened on the attacking company by a hostile machine gun. 2nd Lt. Bell immediately, and on his own initiative, crept up a communication trench and then, followed by Corpl. Colwill and Pte. Batey, rushed across the open under very heavy fire with his revolver, and destroying the gun and personnel with bombs. This very brave act saved many lives and ensured the success of the attack. Five days later this very gallant officer lost his life performing a very similar act of bravery.
Donald soon after wrote to his parents describing the action. “I must confess that it was the biggest fluke alive and i did nothing. I only chucked one bomb but it did the trick”
He was tragically shot in the head by a sniper on 10th July 1916 while yet again attacking a machine gun nest near the village of Contalmaison. He is burried at the Gordon Dump Cemetery at Ovillers-la-Boisselle on the Somme.
By the time the slaughter ended in the November mud, Donald was one of some 400,000 men lost from Britain and her Empire.
His medals (including his VC) and Death Penny are on show in a display at the National Football Museum in Manchester after being purchased at auction by the PFA for over £200k.
Lest We Forget.