ERIC Bell, who scored a goal for Bolton Wanderers in the 1953 FA Cup Final, has died, aged 82.

Bell, who was born in Clayton, Manchester, made more than 100 appearances for Bolton Wanderers between 1949 and 1958.

The wing-half tore his hamstring during the famous final, which is known as the Matthews Final after Blackpool’s Stanley Matthews, but played on for the duration of the game.

It was before the FA introduced substitutes, and Bell scored a header for Bolton which put them 3-1 ahead before Blackpool evenutally triumphed 4-3.

During his time at Wanderers Bell played in the first floodlit game at Old Trafford in 1957.

He was a junior forward for Manchester United , and Sir Matt Busby said in his autobiography My Story: “I have rejected dozens of young amateurs at Old Trafford, I can think of only one who has proved my judgement incorrect by succeeding in the colours of another team.

“The one exception was an inside forward called Eric Bell, who did not seem quite what I wanted, and I thought I was quite justified in releasing him as an amateur.

“Bell went to play for Bolton Wanderers where (by accident I believe!), he was moved to wing-half, a position in which he developed into a grand player.”

Bell also played for England’s B team. He retired from football in 1958 after breaking his leg for a second time in the same place.

He battled Alzheimer’s disease in his final years and died peacefully with his family at his side at Marion Lauder care home in Wythenshawe.

He is survived by his wife, Ivy and his son Stephen.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.