RIP ALAN BALL

[AncientBlue]

Just heard on the news that Alan Ball has passed away. Great totally commited player, always came across as a real nice chap as well. Very sad.

 

Resume from website . . .

 

Alan Ball is the only player ever to play in over 100 First Division games for 4 different clubs - Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal and Southampton. He was a member of the illustrious 1966 World Cup winning team, eventually playing 72 times for his home country.

 

In the league, he scored over 150 goals out of a staggering 600 + appearances.

 

Alan made his debut in 1962 for Blackpool and became their player manager in 1980, He won a Championship medal for Everton in 1970 before going into management years later.

 

After resigning from Stoke City as manager, Alan went on to Exeter, followed by Southampton and more recently, Manchester City. After the turbulent times at Maine Road, Alan took a brief rest before settling in as manager of Portsmouth FC.

 

 

[BlueGate Alan]

Yes AB, very sad. A great character has left this great game, will be missed!

[Ian_Sanderson]

A True Gentleman of English Football who lived, and breathed the game,a big loss to not only English Football, but world football,the 2nd member of the Winning World Cup Team to be taken from us, will be sadly missed.

RIP.

[djw]

Had the pleasure of meeting him at an Everton game about 6 years ago. Very sad. Another true great footballing legend departs us.

RIP Alan Ball.

[Cookie]

Thats very sad news Was a true trier in every sense of the word. Another who will be sadly missed but who will always be remembered.

[abdullah]

Ah, my friends, it is such bad news today to have lost one of the great team of '66. Alan played his boots off in virtually every game he played!

 

Of course, Rob Butler, this was in the days when having red hair was acceptable!

 

Abdullah the Gate!