Goalkeeper Alec Bell played for Exeter City between 1954 and 1958.  He joined the club from Partick Thistle and later played for Grimsby Town after having the first two years of his time with the Grecians interrupted by National Service. 

Working as a miner in Ayrshire, and starting with Glenafton Athletic in Ayrshire, Alec had been playing for Partick Thistle prior to his arrival at St James’ Park in August 1954. Making his debut at Colchester United on 2 September 1954 he received his National Service call-up papers five days later and, after appearing in three more games, was posted back to Glasgow. With City fearing the last had been seen of the recent arrival he was subsequently reassigned to Topsham to serve with the Devonshire Regiment and eventually made a total of sixteen appearances during 1954/55. 

Subsequently posted to Germany, Alec did not appear for the Grecians during the 1955/56 season by which time City had signed fellow Scottish goalkeeper George Hunter. Demobbed shortly after the start of the 1956/57 campaign, Alec only played in the final six league games of the season before making a further eighteen appearances during the following term in two blocks of eight and ten games between September 1957 and January 1958. 

Having asked for a transfer in November 1957, he moved to Grimsby Town in July 1958 where he played just eight league matches before injury forced him to retire from playing. He then moved back to Cumnock in Ayrshire where, after a brief stint as a hairdresser, he worked as a school caretaker for over thirty years.

As of September 2025 Alec was believed to be Grimsby Town's oldest living player.