Alan
Ball MBE R.I.P.
*
I
have just heard on the early breakfast news about the passing
of "BALLY" God rest his soul. Twelve months after his
oal team mate and very good friend BRIAN LABONE. What a loss a
great EVERTONIAN. Norman Merrill.
*
Just
heard the very sad news about Alan Ball. I was out for a rather
boozy lunch yesterday with his great friend Francis Lee and as
usual we were arguing about modern day football against that of
60s/70s - Francis made comment about players today wearing gold
boots etc then said none of them were fit to lace up Ballys white
boots, and that he could get away with wearing them because he
was so good. Rest in peace Bally, thanks for the memories, gone
but never forgotten.
Steve, Crewe
*
R.I.P.
Bally. True blue legend. Give Emlyn Hughes a good kicking from
me will you. Thanks for the memories, even the missed penalties.
Paddy Mckenna now of the hebrides supporters club
*
WITH
BRIAN LABONE BEING DEAD EXACTLY A YEAR, DO YOU THINK GOD GAVE
HIM FIRST PICK OF ANY PLAYER HE COULD HAVE FOR HIS TEAM UP THERE,
SO HE PICKED BALLY. WHAT A GREAT PLAYER HE HAD EVERYTHING, HE
COULD EVEN TRAP THE BALL WITH HIS ASS, A SAD DAY FOR EVERY EVERTONIAN.
PHILL MCFERRAN
*
Just
a note on behalf of The Ruleteros Society expressing
our most sincere condolences to Alan's family and the club over
his tragic death during the night.
My abiding memory was coming back from a typically lugubrious
trip to Leeds, caught in the mist on the Moors, arriving half
an hour late and being 0-2 down to dubious goals, freezing cold,
shit ground, twice as much to get in as anywhere else, stranded
in fog in Oldham on the way back, and struggling to make it back
for "Match of the Day". Lads started singing:-
We'll drink-a-drink-a-drink (accompanied by raising of 'Stubbies')
To Alan the King, the King, the King,
Who plays the game with skill and grace,
Oh, he invented ...... (a pregnant pause - then quick as a flash,
someone else chimes in)
Brilliant football .....
Never heard it since. He was the embodiment of why so many of
us are Evertonians. Gerry Allison.
*
I
was honoured to have met Alan (& Howard) at a recent Dinner
Evening at the Adelphi Hotel. I cannot believe he has been taken
from us so early. He lived as an Everton gent & died the same.
Say 'hi' to Labby for us all Alan and thanks for everything. R.I.P.
Big Tommy, Litherland.
* My thoughts are currently with
Alan Ball's family. Life is very short and unpredictable, and
having had heart problems of my own, I am also dreading the prospect
of a similar fate. Nonetheless, I may be too young to reliase
how great a player Alan Ball was, I am shocked and saddened by
his sudden departure. To grieve is an understatement. Wish Alan
Ball's family all the very best of luck. Thank you and regards.
Ong Jiing Yih
*
I
was at an Everton v. Man City game some time in the late 1960s.
It was an evening game in winter and it was bitterly cold, the
pitch was like a block of ice and the players were sliding round
all over the place. The game had 0-0 written all over it, when
Alan Ball produced a sublime bit of skill, somehow kept his feet
around a few defenders and fired home from 20 yards. 1-0.
Suddenly
the public address system crackled on and the unmistakable voice
of Billy Butler (who'd been doing the half-time requests) boomed
out over Goodison - "What boots have you got on then, la'?'
Priceless!! JD from Kenya
*
Bally
we will miss you, a midfield mastro, thanks for the memories.
John Lea
*
Unfortunaterly I did'nt get to see Bally play but I've heard many
a story from my dad. A true great, a true blue and a pure gentleman
a player who genuinely appreciated the supporters not like 99%
of the overpayed primadona's of today. Lets give him a great send
off against the manure on saturday and give rooney a taste of
what could of been. God bless Alan. Neil Brimage
*
I remember vowing never to go to Goodison again when we sold Bally
to Arsenal, but like all Evertonians I was there for the next
game. I remember watching in awe of someone of his size who could
not only run his socks off for 90 minutes, but tackle, jump (remember
how he used to hang in the air) and best of all wind up the opposition.
I think the ultimate accolade to Bally is the amount of red shite
fans who would have loved to have him across the park. I remember
a story he told about Shankly calling him at a restaurant on the
day he was sold to thank him for what he had done for football
and the area as a whole. Now that’s the stuff of legends. RIP
Bally no one typified our motto more than you did. NSNO. Kevin
Cliffe
*
GOODNIGHT GODBLESS ALAN. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. THE FAMILY
THAT IS EVERTON FC IS POORER TODAY. (PERHAPS THE TEAM COULD ALL
WEAR WHITE BOOTS ON SATURDAY?) STEVE RIMMER PARKEND
*
Never, in our clubs long history, has a player
lived up more to our motto NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM, than Alan Ball
did. He gave nothing but his best every time he pulled on the
blue shirt, a true legend, a true blue, R.I.P. Bally, you will
NEVER EVER BE FORGOTTEN. Peter Ball
*
I loved Bally. He was my hero. When ever I played
I tried to get the number 8 shirt. He was a great player. He will
be sadly missed. RIP. Brian Beaney
*
My hero, my idol, the greatest blue to wear the
shirt I ever saw. Such a sad day. Peter A. true blue
*
I remember the morning Bally was sold to Arsenal,
I kep asking my Dad why? Why would Everton let him go? Him and
Royle and Harvey and Labone were Everton to me then, to a point
still are, but this is the second time I lost Alan Ball.
Yes, I had the boots, but I had a number 9 on my shirt & headed
the ball thinking I was Royle or Labby.
But those boots were my pride and joy. They singled me out, they
way they did him on the pitch. It was only him and Best that had
special boots then, but stylo were crap, and Bally's boots made
you think you could play like him, but tea time came too soon
and while Bally would still be running around I was at home eating.
The effort always shown by Alan Ball was respected by us, the
fans, as Evertonians that is what we appreciate, and always look
for first in a player. Ball understood this and it showed. That's
why the first time I lost Alan Ball I cried, and now a second
time, well, work it out for yourself. RIP Bally. X MagicJuan
