18 Facts About Dean Bell

1.

Dean Bell, known by the nicknames of "Mean Dean", and "Deano", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, and coach.

2.

Dean Bell later coached English club Leeds for two seasons.

3.

Dean Bell is a member of the famous Bell rugby league family that includes George, Ian, Cameron, Glenn, Cathy Bell and Clayton Friend.

4.

Dean Bell then moved to England in August 1982, playing for Carlisle and Leeds over the next two seasons.

5.

In 1987 Dean Bell was a guest player for the South Island in a match against Auckland.

6.

Dean Bell won the Man of Steel Award in 1992 and the Lance Todd Trophy in 1993.

7.

Dean Bell was later inducted into the Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame.

8.

In 1994 Dean Bell left Wigan, returning home to join coach John Monie at the new Auckland Warriors club.

9.

Dean Bell became the club's first captain and led the team out in their inaugural match.

10.

Dean Bell went on to play 26 tests for New Zealand, retiring from international football early in 1989.

11.

Dean Bell picked up several honours while playing for New Zealand, including being the NZRL Player of the Year in 1987 and winning the NZ Maori Sports Personality of the Year in 1994.

12.

Dean Bell was later made a member of the NZRL's Immortals and inducted as one of the NZRL's Legends of League in 2000.

13.

Dean Bell returned to Leeds in 1996 as coach but ended up playing in one match as player-coach.

14.

Dean Bell remained the first grade coach in 1997 before accepting a two-year job as the head of the academy team.

15.

Dean Bell became the manager for the Warriors Under-20s side in the Toyota Cup, and at the end of the 2009 season Dean Bell was promoted by the Warriors to be their new Recruitment and Development Manager.

16.

In 2008 Dean Bell was made the New Zealand national rugby league team football manager.

17.

In 2012 Dean Bell was made the New Zealand Vodafone Warriors General Manager Of Football.

18.

Dean Bell was the feature of an episode of the show This Is Your Life.