Alan Ball RIP

[Wanderlust]

World Cup winner Alan Ball has died of a heart attack at the age of 61.
Ball was a key member of the England side that won the World Cup in 1966 and went on to win 72 caps for his country.

He started his career at Blackpool and went on to play for Everton, Arsenal and Southampton before a playing spell in the United States of America.

He also managed seven clubs over a 19-year period, including two spells with Portsmouth as well as Southampton and Manchester City.

Ball was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to football.

He is the second member of the side that beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley to die. Captain Bobby Moore died of cancer in 1993.

c + p from the BBC

[higgy]

RIP indeed.
According to some reports he died of a heart attack after watching the Man Utd game,his son Jimmy spoke to him after the match and he was in fine form waxing lyrical about Paul Scoles pass to Rooney.
I best remember him playing for Everton and Arsenal,he had great pace,dribbling skills and always had an eye for a goal and he was a feisty character to boot.I well remember him as one of "Ramsays wingless wonders".
I know all football fans will mourn his passing away.
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Glory! Glory! Man Utd.

[Bamboo Grove]

R.I.P. He was my first football idol. This was after his move from Everton to Arsenal in -72 when I was 12 years old. He was the inspirator for me and in those days when we played football I always imagined I was Alan Ball. Thanks for the memories, Alan.
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知彼知己, 胜乃不殆; 知天知地, 胜乃可全
www.bamboogrove.fi

[chelsea]

ENGLAND legend Alan Ball has died at the age of 61.

The World Cup winner passed away last night after a suspected heart attack.

Hampshire Police have confirmed Ball was trying to tackle a bonfire that had got out of control when he collapsed and died.

Ball won 72 caps for his country during a 10-year international career and lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966.

Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick at Wembley as England beat West Germany 4-2, led the tributes to his former team-mate.

He said: "Alan was the youngest member of the team and man of the match in the 1966 World Cup final.

"Socially he was always a good laugh and the 1966 team mixed a lot after then.

"We are all totally devastated."

Hurst informed other members of the World Cup-winning side this morning and has asked to be left alone.

A box-to-box midfielder, Ball was a key member of manager Sir Alf Ramsey's 'Wingless Wonders' and was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to football.

Alan Mullery, another of Ball's former England team-mates, said: "He was such a bouncy and lively, young 61-year-old.

"He was the life and soul of everything. It is shocking news.

"I played with him in Mexico (in the 1970 World Cup). He was a loveable character and had a heart of gold.

"He lived football and loved playing for his country. It is such a shock. At 61, he was a fit little fellow."
Report from one of the english dailys


Who can forget the sight of Bally and Nobby Stiles dancing round Wembley with the World Cup , he was an instrumental part of the team that won that world cup, and I think the youngest of the team at the time.
He will be sorely missed by everyone
RIP Bally

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Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"

[JD]

This is the saddest news I have heard in a long time.

Like others, Alan Ball was my childhood football hero, when he came to play and eventually manage Southampton FC, I was in awe of the man and his one touch midfield play. The enthusiasm and skills he taught the youngsters gave the Saints one of the most skillful midfields I have ever had the pleasure to watch on a Saturday afternoon.

This news is particularly poignant to me as I was lucky enough to meet the man and Mike Channon through business (Wessex Bloodstock) and then to become friends with him and his family.

I spoke to him at length on the phone from Thailand when his wife Lesley, finally succumbed to cancer some three years ago now. There was something missing in his nature after that, a loss of character that never really returned. I have spent many a time on a social level with Alan, his wife, children and Mike Channon’s family. All were highly entertaining, Alan always loved to take the Mickey out of Mike and visa versa, the funniest times were during the early mornings with frost everywhere, Alan complaining about the cold, Mike telling him ‘It’s nice and warm up here shorty’. They were the best of friends, I’ll be calling Mike tomorrow to check he is OK. I’ve tried to ring Alan’s daughter this afternoon but the phone is set to leave messages only.

I will post a little personal tribute to Alan over the next week or so. He was one of the most genuine people you could meet, and in no way did he ever consider himself a star, he was just an ordinary bloke who liked to go to the shop, stop and talk to people and lead an ordinary life. You would often catch him in his local, having a beer and playing darts with the locals.

I was lucky enough to have been able to have my Boys Own Hero become a friend, who was confident enough to share his joys and tribulations with me and trust me enough to listen to my views and trust my thoughts. It is a sad day indeed.

I just read some of the tributes being posted by the footballing world. Jack Charlton sums it up for me. He says "I'm laughing now because I am thinking of Alan. I am not happy and I don't know why I'm laughing. It's just thinking of him. I've got so many good memories of Alan Ball."

That about sums Alan up, whenever you talked about him to somebody you were always smiling.

RIP Alan.
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Per Angusta In Augusta.
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www.hamandbacon.co.th

[caller]

JD,

A warm, dignified post.

I've been away for a few days and just catching up on the news. In view of what you have written, the one minutes, "applause" planned for all games in England this weekend sounds far more appropriate and fitting than a minutes silence.

Alan Ball: World Cup winner and a much loved family man.

RIP
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I know nothing

[redzonerocker]

a true legend in every sense of the word.
wore the england shirt with pride & played with passion. a highly respected, talented player & generally decent man.
may he rest in peace.

[Bamboo Grove]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6621185.stm
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知彼知己, 胜乃不殆; 知天知地, 胜乃可全
www.bamboogrove.fi