A tribute to Alan Bell (Wirral VC)

Founder and Coach of Wirral Volleyball Club, he played an active part in developing junior players right up until his sad passing. 

In national Junior Grand Prix competitions, Wirral finished the 2024-25 season in sixth in the Gold Cup (U15 girls), won the Silver Cup (U16 girls) and were seventh in the Silver Cup (U18 girls).  

Alongside his coaching, Alan also found time to serve as secretary of the Merseyside Volleyball League for more than 45 years and was widely respected across volleyball’s communities, not just locally, but nationally as well. 

He was also actively involved in the North West Regional squads. 

My dad was always passionate about volleyball and its youth development for as long as I can remember,” said Alan’s daughter, Sarah. 

“He made many friends among the way, one of his best being Brian Kendall, who sadly passed a few years ago. 

“Dad would always tell me the progress of the Wirral teams and tournaments he was running when we spoke, and he was really pleased and proud of how the teams progressed this year.” 

Tributes to Alan have poured in on the Volleyball England Facebook page since the news of Alan’s passing was announced, commending his dedication to the sport and his knowledge of it. 

“(Alan was) an absolute leading light in coaching over a lifetime. Especially the coaching of children,” said Tim Clifford, of Bedminster Volleyball Club. “His knowledge and expertise is a huge loss to our sport. 

“The last spoke to Alan at the end of October for over an hour, not about the on-court coaching but about the safeguarding around travel with juniors and the detail of structuring junior competition to correctly facilitate development. He was very much a like-minded thinker! 

“Thank you for all the advice Alan, Rest in Peace.” 

Bryan Youlden said: “Very sad indeed....a man who made a substantial contribution and who challenged a number of aspects of the sport from a considered and well-argued perspectives.” 

Madn Canham added: “Alan introduced volleyball into many schools on the Wirral and helped gain funding to source equipment. He has organised numerous events, Pontins, beach volleyball and regular school tournaments.  

“Both my children have learnt to play through his coaching. I am so grateful for all the opportunities he has provided and very sad to hear this news.” 

Keith Nicholls said: “Alan was the epitome of the founders of grassroots volleyball. Totally committed, unwavering in his determination to encourage and assist young people in finding a healthy and compelling community playing our sport. 

“There are many who have been touched and guided by his involvement in their life and will remember him fondly.” 

And Anna Holsgrove-Smith simply said: “Alan was one of the best and nicest coaches I have ever had. I will miss him greatly.” 

Chair of the Merseyside Volleyball League, Andy Fuller, added this tribute.

"I have known Alan for over 30 years, that's the time that I have been living in the Chester area. Alan was a founding member of the Merseyside Volleyball League which I believe has been going for 45 years plus. That's a lot of seasons, a lot of matches and a lot of players that the league has served and organised.

"In that time Alan has held a post on the committee to steer activities year on year. For many of those years, Alan has coached junior girls at the Wirral Grammar School, entering them in the MVL and in Volleyball England competitions. There are numerous players that owe their volleyball career to Alan and many are still playing today.

"Alan also organised and ran tournaments at the Woodchurch Leisure Centre, men and women. These tournaments have become annual events, one of those being to commemorate past service by long term servants to the game in the area, the Des Jeffers tournament for example.

"Alan was a fully committed man to volleyball, working tirelessly every year to enter teams, coach players and to organise; and this went of for decades. He wrote and revised the constitution and rules for the MVL, upholding them in face of infractions and contravention. Alan was a hard working and reliable friend and colleague, and everyone knew that the league was in safe hands with Alan at the helm.

"I got to know Alan a lot better over the last five years when I myself joined the MVL committee. We became closer friends, meeting most weeks for a coffee in a local cafe to discuss everything volleyball, whether it be matches, cups, rules or tournaments, Alan focused his energies to ensuring all was good and ticking along. Even when Alan was diagnosed with cancer three or four years ago, he got through it and continued his work with the league and junior players. 

"Alan was a keen gardener and many a time he would turn up at the cafe with a bag of fruit and vegetables. He always produced more than he could consume so he was happy to share.

"Alan wasn't a sentimental person, he originally came from Newcastle and had a direct approach with life. He spoke his mind and people respected him for that. Many a time Alan would say what many would not, we never had an 'elephant in the room'.

"What I probably appreciated most about Alan was our discussions on volleyball. He very much took an academic, refined approach to the sport. We used to discuss coaching skills, set ups and tactics. Alan was no technophobe either... he introduced me to certain apps on his tablet that helped with coaching and rotations.

"My earliest memory of Alan was with Chester VC in the 1990s. I was playing my first season there and we had organised a series of matches in Carcarsonne in France. Alan joined the party as a non-player but I remember he enjoyed the interaction with the locals and the local wine. We made that trip a few times over the years and they also visited Chester.

"Volleyball has suffered a huge loss with Alan passing away so suddenly. No one will fill the shoes he has left behind. His dedication and enthusiasm for the sport you do not see in many, especially to maintain that dedication over so many years.

"To family, friends and players this has been a devastating loss, felt personally by many. For me, I am thankful to Alan for his unparalleled selfless work and commitment to volleyball that has been to the benefit of so many. I will miss him greatly along with so many others."