Bill Bell (businessman)

William Thomas Bell (21 January 1932 – 12 February 2013) was an English businessman and football club chairman who was the chair of Port Vale from 1987 to 2002. He spent the first twelve years at the club in partnership with manager John Rudge, until he controversially sacked Rudge in January 1999. During his time as chairman he concentrated his efforts on renovating and modernising Vale Park, at great financial cost. However, the money for his ambitious projects dried up with his decision to axe Rudge, and he left the club in December 2002 when Port Vale entered administration.