​Bath prop Duncan Bell has issued an apology to fans after the Chronicle reported his remarks about some supporters' criticism of the team's current form.

Bell, whose remarks appear in full in today's Bath Chronicle, claims his comments and the tone in which he made them were "unjustly represented" - something which the Chronicle rejects.

Below is the full text of Bell's apology, followed by a response from the Chronicle's editor.

The statement on Bath Rugby's website says: "Duncan Bell has come under scrutiny from fans after they have read an interview with him in today's Bath Chronicle. He is upset for what he feels is a slightly unjust representation of what he said, and he only hopes that the Bath Rugby faithful can forgive any comment that could be construed as an attack on them. He has written an open letter in the hope that as many Bath Rugby fans will read it, and understand the comments that he felt were taken out of context.

Bells letter reads: ''First and foremost I would like to apologise to any fans that have been upset or angered by any quotes attributed to me relating to their support of the club.

"The tone of certain quotes has, in my opinion, been misrepresented and certainly not the message or theme that I tried to get across. I am a little annoyed with myself for being drawn into this topic and really should have known better!

"What I should have said is that the club as a whole, including players, coaches, medical staff, the whole of Argyle Street and yes indeed the fans as well are all in it together and have to pull as one to achieve our goals. But I was angered by the line of questioning and when asked about certain sections of the crowd booing the players and leaving the ground early and whether we played for them, I answered 'no' we play for 'us'. If we were to play only to impress people sitting in the stadium then we would not win any games.

"We have to play as a team. Us. Worrying about impressing the crowd will not win us games.

"Without trying to go over the top here I just want to reiterate that I was a boy on the terraces following the team everywhere (even up to Orrell!) played mini and junior rugby in the blue, black and white and supported the club all the way through my teens.

"I was a Bath supporter first and when the game turned professional all I ever wanted to do was play for Bath Rugby. Now I have achieved that goal but when my rugby life is dead and buried I will continue to be a Bath Rugby supporter.

"I am extremely honoured to be a Bath Rugby player and do not take the support of the fans lightly. I love playing at The Rec and wouldn't intentionally annoy any section of the rugby playing public by giving these sorts of quotes to a local paper to get a response.

"I am also extremely disappointed that such an inflammatory article has been released in the very paper I write a column for. And on a lighter note I would like to say that I object to the use of the word "veteran"!!! I feel I am merely 'experienced'!

"Hopefully, we can all 'just get along' and smash the Northampton Saints this weekend.............with ALL your valued support! Love, Belly."

Sam Holliday, Editor in Chief of Bath News and Media, publisher of The Bath Chronicle and www.thisisbath.co.uk, said: "Having heard the full recording of Tom Bradshaw's interview with Duncan Bell, I am 100 per cent confident that we have reported Duncan's remarks in a full, fair and responsible way.

"We have masses of respect for Duncan and what he has achieved for Bath Rugby, and we - like our readers - enjoy his colourful and entertaining columns.

"I would also like to stress that everyone at the Chronicle - and I would very much include Tom in this - is fully commited to the success of Bath Rugby and we will continue to provide the best possible coverage of the club.

"The best way we can all move forward now is for the Bath boys to go to Northampton and come back with all the points."