Photo – Rob O’Brien
Author – Ben Monti
As the evening sun fought its way through the rain-bearing clouds to shine down on the Beehive, I took a stroll pitch side on Tuesday with Harborough Town’s very first signing as a National League North outfit. With echoes of last season’s historic title-winning campaign still ringing loud around the ground, the relentless nature of football means that attention has swiftly turned to the season ahead.
A familiar face to many, Silvio Bello joins the Bees from Leicestershire neighbours Quorn, after spending the best part of half a decade at The Methodists. The versatile, battle-ready defender, who is no stranger to chipping in with crucial goals here and there, will fit in seamlessly with an already formidable, resolute Bees back line.
Despite being a warrior on the pitch, Silvio came across as a genuinely warm, approachable, and grounded young man. I have no doubt he will be an instant hit with the Harborough faithful, and with our Spanish counterparts alike, having spent time plying his trade over in sunny Andalucia. Italian-born, trilingual, Silvio accompanied me on my walk as we caught up for the first time to discuss the footballing past, present and future.
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Ben: Hi Silvio, it’s a pleasure to welcome you to the Beehive. Before we get started, what should the Harborough supporters call you?
Silvio: Thank you, it’s great to be here. Normally my nickname, just for short and simple, people call me Silv, S I L V.
Ben: Perfect. So Silv, for supporters meeting you for the first time, tell us about your football journey and how you’ve ended up at the Beehive.
Silvio: Yeah, so I started through the ranks at Nottingham Forest. I joined them when I was under 9s, and I was at Forest until the age of 18. I did my scholarship there and, unfortunately, I didn’t get offered a pro contract. I actually went over to Spain, to a town near Granada called Almuñécar, and played there for a year after my release from Forest, just gaining some experience in a full-time environment, which I needed at the time. It also helped clear my headspace after that decision. I had a good season there and then came back to the UK, back to Notts, and joined my first non-league club, Ilkeston Town. That was a good experience for me because I was new to non-league. Although I wasn’t getting much game time, it helped me learn my trade and learn what non-league is all about. Shortly after my stint at Ilkeston, I joined Quorn towards the back end of the same season.
Ben: Harborough have had three promotions in five years, but you’ve had a fair bit of success yourself. Tell us about those promotion-winning seasons at Quorn.
Silvio: They were actually going for promotion and were in and around the play-off positions when I signed. I believe I started in my first game. Yeah, we got promoted that season and it was a really good promotion. We played the play-off final, don’t even remember where now, but we won really convincingly, getting promoted to Step 4. I’ve been at Quorn for four and a half seasons. As people probably know, it’s a club in Leicestershire. We achieved two promotions and one league title, and I’ve been there ever since. I believe the club secretary, Adam, mentioned I’ve made 136 appearances or something. But yeah, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Quorn. After contact from this great club, a big club like Harborough Town, now I’m here.
Ben: You’ve seen Harborough from the other side a few times now. Beyond the promotions and success both clubs have enjoyed in recent years, what was it that sold you on making the short trip south and becoming a Bee?
Silvio: Well, we’ve played Harborough on quite a few occasions. I believe I’ve played against them four times now. When I was in Step 4, I played Harborough twice, home and away. Just through playing the club, I felt like this is a huge club and a huge environment where you can develop and improve. But more importantly, speaking to the gaffer Mitch and Staffy, they had a real clarity and vision about where the club wants to be. You also hear a lot in and around the club about how they treat people. The chairman, the fans, everyone involved, they’re all really nice people. They get a good crowd here as well. And I actually know one or two lads already within the team.
Ben: So, you already know a couple of the lads. Who are you looking forward to linking up with again?
Silvio: Yeah, so I actually played with Dempsey when I was at Ilkeston. I knew of him already through his days back at Leicester. He’s a really good player, a really good winger. Probably, well, not probably, I think he’s actually the best winger from the Step 3 division that we just got promoted out of.
Ben: I won’t argue with that.
Silvio: I also played briefly with Devon Kelly-Evans. You know, his CV and his performances on the pitch speak for themselves really.
Ben: You spent time playing in Spain. As you know, Harborough comes with its own Spanish fan club. Have you seen much of Los Bees online, and are you looking forward to playing in front of them?
Silvio: Yeah, of course. It’s also a really decent crowd, it’s not just like a small Spanish fan base, so yeah, really exciting. I saw the stuff last year, the club going over to Spain in pre-season, and I just thought to myself, what other non-league club goes away abroad in pre-season? But yeah, I can see the support’s really crazy, especially online. So yeah, I’ll be able to at least understand what they are saying as well.
Ben: Harborough built last season’s title-winning campaign on defensive solidity. As a defender, what do you feel you can add to an already strong back line?
Silvio: Predominantly I’m a right-back, but through my time at Quorn and earlier in my career I’ve also played left-back and centre-back in a back three. Looking at Harborough, the main thing from my point of view is how well they defend as a team. Even from playing against them, you’ve got strikers like Riley pressing you from the front. They defend really well as a unit and hopefully I can come in and add to that.
Ben: On a personal level, twelve months from now, what would make you look back and say your first season at Harborough had been a success?
Silvio: Yeah, good question. Successful season. Well, after promotion to National League North, which is already a great achievement, I believe the club wants to establish itself within this league. Compete with the big boys, every team in this league, be competitive and establish ourselves and why not go for, near enough another promotion and maybe playoff positions. So personally, I just wanna stay injury-free, play as many games as possible, create memories and win many games.
At this point, my inner geek was bursting at the seams to mention Football Manager. With our walk coming to an end, I coyly asked, “Are you aware of Football Manager?” Silvio chuckled. Whether he was excited about FM, had a funny story to tell, or was simply amused that a 36-year-old had brought it up, I wasn’t entirely sure. “I am aware of Football Manager”, he responded whilst laughing. Nevertheless, I continued.
Ben: Harborough will appear on Football Manager for the first time this season. As someone who has never been in the game before, have your mates started mentioning it yet?
Silvio: Funny you mention Football Manager, because my director at work actually said, “You’ll be on Football Manager now.” So yeah, he says he’s gonna sign me and try to train me up. So, I don’t actually play it myself, but I am aware of it. So yeah, looking forward to it.
Ben: Finally, what would you like to say to the Bees supporters ahead of the new season?
Silvio: Message for the Bees fans is, I can’t wait to play in front of you guys, and show you what I can do, and create many more great memories. Up the Bees.
Ben: Lovely, good luck, mate.
Silvio: Thanks, mate.
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As our walk around the Beehive came to an end, Harborough Town’s social media and content guru, Russell Barder joined us to put Silvio through a series of quick-fire questions. To find out who he supports, his favourite takeaway and much more, you can watch the video across our social media platforms or continue reading below.
Full Name: Silvio Bello
Position: Right Back
Favourite Club: Manchester City
Nickname: Silv
Go to takeaway: Margherita Pizza
Job outside football: Account Manager
Hidden talent: Speaks three languages (English, Spanish & Italian)
Key attribute on the pitch: 1v1 defending.
Who would play you in a movie of your life? Denzel Washington
Who is on your playlist right now? Burna Boy
Favourite Film: All the “Equalisers”
Footballing idol: Cristiano Ronaldo
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Best player played with: Reco Fyfe
Best player played against: Dempsey Arlott-John
Favourite sport outside football: Tennis
Best footballing moment: Promotion to Step 3 with Quorn
What should Bees fans know about you? Hard worker / Can’t wait to play in front of you and create great memories