Alan
Ball MBE R.I.P.
*
It is only once in a generation that the gods of football provide
the ideal formula for the beautiful game. In the late-Sixties,
we of the royal blue faith were convinced that Goodison Park had
been duly blessed - with the presence of Howard Kendall, Colin
Harvey and Alan Ball. Their repertoire of skills and telepathic
understanding was beyond belief. These three young Englishmen
may sound like fantasy footballers - but those of us who were
fortunate to witness them in the Sixties will confirm that 'The
Holy Trinity' was indeed a revelation. And with all respect to
Howard and Colin, Alan Ball was the super-star sent from heaven.
I met with him on several occasions during Heritage Week. We didn't
talk about football as usual but about life-threatening illness
and Northern wives. He told me how he had sat down with Lesley
to address some difficult decisions. How they had discussed subjects
which would have been taboo under normal circumstances. Alan seemed
to have come to terms with her death and was at peace.
In
his role as the patron of The Everton Collection Charitable Trust,
I asked him to draft a few words for the second edition of the
'Everton Treasures' book. He provided the following: 'Three special
words have had a special place in my soul as well as my heart
for the past 40 years - Everton Football Club. I love Everton
and being known first and foremost as an Evertonian. Certainly
I enjoyed my football throughout my career but people often remind
me that I played my best games in the famous blue and white. Over
the years I have relished returning to Merseyside, of course I
never wanted to leave and had hoped to see out my days at Goodison
Park. But that is the subject for another book. It may sound sentimental
but it is true - I feel that although I left Everton, Everton
never left me. Like all of the club’s former-players of my vintage,
I recognised that once Everton got into your blood my life would
never be the same again. And I wasn’t. Today Goodison Park oozes
memories of great team-mates, worthy opponents and brilliant team
performances and I am proud to have played my small part in the
club’s illustrious past. Indeed the depth and quality of the club’s
heritage remains unparalleled in the British game. No club can
compare with a history which is grounded on Everton’s role as
a founder League member and is reinforced by 104 seasons at the
elite level. Nowadays history is important to all fans - no more
so than Evertonians. I am proud to serve as a patron of the Everton
Collection Charitable Trust and encourage all fans to participate
in the ongoing efforts to achieve its immediate goal of netting
an enormous source of royal blue pride - The David France Collection.
These archives are world-class and more vital to our future than
our past. By the year 2010, it is likely that we will have moved
on to pastures new and that the Grand Old Lady will have been
bulldozed to make way for ‘progress’. While the club will be housed
in modern facilities worthy of the its standing, we will have
lost the rich patina of 118 years of passion at Goodison Park.
Hopefully by then the significance of these rare treasures will
become clear to even the deepest cynic. For a club with such a
rich heritage, such a priceless trove will be more important that
ever. Quite simply the David France Collection belongs to all
Evertonians, it is the People’s Collection.'
From
a personal perspective, one of my saddest days in supporting Everton
was December 22, 1971, that was the day when Harry Catterick sold
Alan Ball to Arsenal. I know from Alan that he never ever wanted
to leave us. He never did and he never will. David
France
*
A very sad for all blues, one of the legends of Everton and England
has gone. For Blues of a certain age was the player we looked
to lift the team and drive them on. A great engine, fantastic
one touch – take a look at the England V Brazil 1970 game – does
he look out of place alongside Pele, Tostao, etc.? I’ll never
forget the shock when told he had been transferred to Arsenal
– he was the heart of the great team of the 60’s & 70’s. All
Evertonians can be proud he was one of ours. Kevin Cochrane
*
I'm sitting here at my computer in the middle of Arizona just
crying my eyes out. Alan Ball was my sports hero. A part of me
died today too. As a red head and ten years old in 1966 I was
as tall as Bally and kind of looked like him All though I was
hopeless at football when ever I wore my white boots I felt like
I was a real footballer. Than you Alan for introducing me to Everton
FC. You made me a life time follower of the Blues. Mark
Sadler
*
Cried when you went to arsenal, crying now Mike, Chester
*
I heard the news on he way in to work, I'm devastated, I can remember
the time when Bally joined Everton, and scoring the goals against
Liverpool straight from the off. I had my hero. You always thought
that the game wasn't lost with him, no matter what the score was,
you could tell he always wanted to win. I've spoken to some reds
today, and even they recognise the player he was. Things won't
be the same without him and Labby. Phil Christian
*
Thanks for being a shining light in my life. I will always remember
your total enthusiasm both on and off the pitch. I feel I have
been honoured to be able to say that I was able to watch the best
player in my view to ever wear a blue shirt for Everton. You will
be sadly missed by all true Evertonian's. Enjoy your football
now, because wherever you are you will always be the first on
the team sheet. God Bless Bally. Phil
*
Like Labby, Bally epitomised the spirit of Everton Football Club.
A true fighter who was no stranger to adversity. We must strive
to continue the ethos of Everton FC and in respect to these leviathans
we have sadly lost, nurture and inspire our present and future
players so that our grandchildren and even their grandchildren
can have Everton heroes of their own, A sad day for sure, Rest
in Peace Alan Ball
Dylan Morgan
*
I'm just completely gutted by this news. Growing up around the
time of the 69/70 Championship side, I was obviously aware of
the great players we had. I appreciated the likes of Morrisey,
Harvey, Kendall and of course Labby. But for Kids of my age, the
2 who stood out were Joe Royle and Alan Ball. Bally was my first
hero, and I truly feel like one of the family has died today.
We've had some fantastic midfielder's over the years, but with
no disrespect to the others, Bally stands head and shoulders above
them all. A measure of the man is that I believe he is the only
Evertonian since Dixie that Liverpool fans were genuinely frightened
of. Who's the Greatest of them all, Little Curly Alan Ball. RIP.
KAG1
*
The 24th of April, a year to the day, r greatest centre half,
labby past away....stood by heavens blue gate he gave an unexpected
call, to our greatest number 8, our genius Alan ball...with his
famous white boots, he was finest of them all, he completed our
great trio of Harvey, Kendal and ball..as every evertonian mourns
as bally lies to rest, we will always remember he really was the
best !!! Joe
*
The news of Alan Ball's untimely death today has cast a massive
shadow over the world of football. As we all know, he was the
youngest member of England's world cup winning squad and a member
of our 1970 title winning side. However, he was also much much
more than that. A true great on the field and a true gentleman
off it. Listening to tributes flooding in this morning, on both
television and radio, it is clear that no one involved with the
beautiful game has a bad word to say about him. Despite the heartbreaking
problems that his closest family were suffering he was always
dignified and brave. I'm only 27 and therefore never saw him play
in the flesh but from video footage, books and from what people
have told me, he is without a doubt one of the greatest. Certainly
one of Our best. He would no doubt be in anyone's Everton 1st
XI. Although I never got the chance to meet him, my girlfriend
did. He was signing copies of his autobiography in Taunton and
because I couldn't get the day off work, I sent her down with
the money to buy his book so that he could sign it. I also sent
her down with some other Everton stuff. She got their really early
to avoid the rush and was at the front of the queue. He arrived
with the minimum of fuss, sat down and just started chatting to
her whilst the signing area was set up. When it all began he was
only supposed to sign his book but he signed all the stuff she
took down and made time to chat to as many people as possible.
She said he was a really really nice man. I think that sums it
up as well as any glowing tribute from an ex pro could. At the
end of the day if you are remembered for being a truly good human
being then nothing else really matters. The word "great"
is far to over-used but in this case it is a fitting description.
A true legend. This is heartbreaking news for Evertonians in particular
as it comes so close to the anniversary of the death of another
true great, Brain Labone. You will both always be in our hearts
and our 1st XI's. I hope that the powers that be at the club will
conduct a fitting tribute on Saturday. The world is a poorer place
for the loss of Bally and his famous flat cap. R.I.P. Spencer
Bishop.
*
I was devastated to hear of the sad loss of Alan Ball - My football
idol. I was 8 years old when he signed for us in 1966 and was
over the moon when I met him in 1970. The white football boots
were the best Christmas present I ever received. He is the greatest
player I have ever seen wearing the Royal Blue shirt and was hugely
disappointed when Harry Catterick sold him to Arsenal. Even now,
I question why. Once a Blue, Always a Blue! -You will be so sadly
missed Bally. RIP Thanks for all the great memories. Steve
Pearce (Preston)
*
Ball of Fire. The man who inspired me to be an Evertonian. As
a 10yr old in 68 saw him in a cup match at Carlisle, first player
I'd seen to juggle a ball, and dominate a game just thought they
are for me. for which I will be eternally grateful. A true Evertonian
and a true legend. As part of the Everton family my and thousand's
of others thought go out to his. R.I.P Mac1878
*
Blue because of You, My Dad chose to support Everton because he
loved Bally and his trademark white boots, he then passed the
Blue gene down to me, for that Bally, I thank you! Andy
Marshall
*
Well another of our family has gone to pastures new, but he will
never leave glorious Goodison, he will always be there in spirit,
deepest sympathy to all of Alans family, let us not forget that
Evertonians dont die,,,, we go to heaven and cheer the blues,,
ALAN BALL,, GOD BLESS YA ! (ANTHONY NOLAN. PELHAM MANOR.
NEW YORK. U.S.A. )
*
You were my idol as a kid, you were still my Dads idol until he
died a few years ago. I am gutted, as will all true Blues be.
I never met you, but you were and always will be a Legend. R.I.P.
Alan - one of the greatest Blues to have ever worn the shirt.
Bill Davies
*
I only found this out this evening, and Im extremely saddened
by this. Im only 20 years old, but the stories my grandad told
me and my dad told me of Bally, Harvey and Labone are the stories
that made me the Blue nose I am today, Its gonna be a long time
before we find another Bally or Labone, true legends. R.I.P
Anon
*
My sympathies go to all Alan's family at their sad loss He will
be missed by many people. I was lucky enough to see him play for
Everton and 100% was never enough. Most expensive player of his
time what would he be worth now? Goodbye Bally Moxey (Abergele)
*
As a nipper back in 1967, whenever we played football in the school
playground, I was ALWAYS Alan J. Ball. Anyone else tried to take
the title, had me to deal with. Bally was, quite simply, the greatest
footballer ever to pull on a royal blue shirt in the 40 years
I have been a bluenose. When you think that I include Alex Young
in that lower than Bally category, it shows just how good a footballer
he was. In addition, Alan Ball was a gentleman. Always had time
for the fans, would never turn away from an outstretched autograph
request, and always had time to speak to people. Those of us who
were privileged to have watched the mighty man play can never
paint a picture to the less fortunate amongst us that will portray
his fiery skills. Thanks for all the magical memories Bally, especially
those goals against the pinkos from across the park. I cried when
Catterick sold you, and I find it hard not to repeat it now you
have been taken. At last you are back alongside other members
of your Everton family, but more importantly, you are back alongside
the biggest love of your life, Lesley. Rest peacefully Alan. You
will be missed. Derek
*
A tragic day with another Hero and Legend leaving us. RIP Bally,
there's an angel in heaven wearing white boots. Dave Tommo
*
Bally was my absolute hero when I was a kid…I had life-size posters
of each member of the Holy Trinity on the wall opposite my bed
but Bally was “the one”. (God how I wanted a pair of those white
boots!). Sadly, I paid my first visit to Goodison just after he
left for Arsenal, so I never had the honour of seeing him play
live, but every pass, tackle and run shown on the tv confirmed
to me that here was a footballer to look up to. He was Everton
personified in the Championship side of 1970. Rest in Peace Bally.
Gone but never forgotten. David Killip – Isle of Man
