Anglo Confectionery

Anglo Confectionery

The Anglo American Chewing Gum Company, based in Halifax in northern England, began producing confectionery in the 1950s and soon became a familiar name among young consumers. One of its most recognised products was Bell Boy bubble gum, which included collectible inserts that quickly became a phenomenon in sweet shops across Britain.

Launched in the mid-1950s, Bell Boy distinguished itself by combining chewing gum with colourful, themed collectibles — a concept that resonated especially with football fans. The inserts, often wrapped around the gum itself, formed part of a growing trend that blurred the lines between confectionery and popular culture.

During the 1960s, the company expanded its offerings and developed a strong foothold in the football-related collectibles market. As demand grew, so did the ambition behind the brand, which introduced a series of updated designs and promotions. By the end of the decade, the company had rebranded as Anglo Confectionery and continued to release gum products tied to the football craze, including several new gum lines under different names.

In the early 1970s, Anglo’s products reached international markets, with some releases appearing in continental Europe under translated titles. Despite their popularity, the company’s football-themed output came to an end by the mid-1970s, closing a brief but memorable chapter in the history of British football memorabilia.