* So Bally’s gone now and part of my history goes with him. In 1966 a five year old red-headed boy was looking for a sporting hero. He found him in the World Cup Final – another small, squeaky Ginge who tore round the pitch like a man possessed and who scrapped and fought for everything. I’ve been a Blue ever since – thank God Bally didn’t stay with Blackpool. RIP, mate. Adam in Ealing

* For those of us who watched the Blues during those magical years between 1966 and 1971 this man was the guy who made it all tick. Never surrendered until the whistle blew at the end of the game. If we lost (and not that often) you could see he felt as wretched as the rest of us. A players player and and a fans player. Grateful to have met with him at a Sporting Dinner in Warwick some ten years ago when his talk was spot on. He could remember every game he played in and the result: unlike so many others I've heard.

* His passing will I have no doubt be sincerely observed on Saturday. The team should play the game for him against Man U and give, each and every one of them, the same application energy and effort as he gave to the Blues during his six years at the club. God Bless and thanks for those special years. Alasdair Jones

* My most vivid memory of Christmas 1970 was opening my white Stylo matchmaker boots and with my ginger hair, playing footie on our back field christmas morning and my mates calling me Bally, very few will ever be called a legend but Alan James Ball truly is a legend, rest in peace Bally Andy Creevy

* The other day I was only talking to a friend of mine, a Celtic fan, about characters in the game in the 60's and 70's and how in the heat of a derby match Bally had the courage to sit on the ball to goad the opposition. I can still hear that shrill voice barking across the pitch motivating his teammates to the greatness that was the period 1968-70. God bless you Bally, it was an honour to have seen you as part of the "Holy Trinity" and might it inspire our current heroes to victory this Saturday. Geoff Blunt

* Amongst the many greats,Bally is the best Everton player I've watched in 45 years. A true inspiration and icon, irreplaceable, always remember him sitting on the ball - while the match was in play - at Gwladys Street end and the crowd laughing their heads off - and that winner against Liverpool in' 68 still sends shivers down my spine thinking of it. Thank you for fantastic memories Alan. Alby.

* Its hard to take when you lose your hero, my first Everton Idol. A true blue and true gent Bally will be sadly missed by all blues who were fortunate enough to see him play. RIP Bally. You were the greatest. Dave Taylor

* Alan Ball lead by example for both club and country he once said “I would play for England just for the shirt” It’s time our so called England players followed his example and played only for the shirt but most of with the passion that he had for both club and country. I went to watch him play against us for Southampton and he took us apart single handed. Today is not just a sad day for Evertonians but a sad day for the world of football. God Bless You and thanks. Phil Taylor

* I am sitting here in Ontario Canada remembering good times Alan Ball scoring the goal that rocked Liverpool 60,000 at Goodison 40.000 at Anfield watching it on the big screen.I was lucky to be in Goodison what a night.Bally thrilled us all running down the wing stopping and sitting on the ball no one to touch him.I remember him having a running battle with Fitzpatrick from United he backed down from no one.God bless you Alan because you blessed me just from watching you. George Tiesteel

* I remember the exact moment my dad showed me the Echo and confirmed we had signed Alan Ball from Blackpool. From then on I loved him. I loved watching him play. I loved looking at pictures of his E-type Jag. I even loved his funny voice. I cried when he went to Arsenal. I thought it was the end of the world. A few years later I was working in a hotel in the Channel Islands and word came back to the kitchen that Alan Ball was in the restaurant. All the staff took turns going out to meet him. I couldn't bring myself to do it. How could Alan Ball be just sitting there drinking tea? Did that mean he was human like the rest of us? It was too shocking to take in. I never saw him close up. He has remained god-like to me for over forty years. He always will. The (Exiled) Duke of Bootle.

* I remember the morning I woke to find out he,d left, I was devastated and I have the same feeling today. Alan gave me some of my best memories in football. Gods football team now have a midfield dynamo to go with the centre half he "signed" last year. Graeme

* God Bless Our World Class Son! Ian Tollet

* The 24th of April a year to the day our greatest centre half Labby passed away.

Stood by heavens Blue Gate he gave an unexpected call, To our greatest number 8, Our genuis Alan Ball.

With his famous white boots. He was the finest of them all, he completed are great trio of Kendall Harvey and Ball.

As every Evertonian mourns as Bally lays to rest, We will always remember, he simply was the best. Jim Reardon KEIOC

* The Word Legend is often over used not in this case. R.I.P Bally you will live in our hearts forever. Jason Conlan

* Bally, was my idol ! He was the greatest player I have ever seen in a blue shirt. The day my dad woke me to say he had been sold to Arsenel, after initial disbelief. I cried my eyes out. The heart of my team had been torn out. It took us a dozen years to recover. R.I.P. Bally. Colin hardaker.

* Rest in peace Alan, you'l live on in our hearts. God Bless. John

* My Dad made sure I realised from a very young age just how important Alan Ball was to this Great Club! I was born in 1977, six years after he had left Goodison, and the first song I learnt relating to Everton was "Alan Ball, he scored 4, he knocked West Brom on the floor with an E V E R T O N......." Truly gutted and my Dad is devasted. Thanks for the memories.............Condolences to the Family! Say hello to my Grandad and Labby !! Stuart Mackinnon, Jimmy Mackinnon, Andy Mackinnon, Peter Mackinnon and Shelia Mackinnon

* 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 a Everton gent & died the same.Say 'hi' to Labby for us all Alan and thanks for everything. RIP. Big Tommy, Litherland.

* I'm devistated by the untimely death of a true Everton great. Bally took me to the heights of Blue Heaven, he was Mr Everton and formed a great love of the club(don`t they all!). my best memories of Bally was his goals,especially against the Reds! There isn`t a footballer alive today who is fit to to be mentioned in the same breath as Bally. John A

* Without question Alan Ball was one of the greatest footballers ever to pull on a Royal Blue jersey. He was fantastic I remember when he first wore those white boots in a game and if your gonna wear white boots ( and I think he was the first ) you’d better play well…..and he did. RIP Bally John…Fleetwood

* Bally was my dad's hero I was born in 71' so wasn't fortunate enough to see him grace Goodison for our wonderful football club but I still grew up with tales of the great man. I Saw him five weeks ago at the Everton night at the Adelphi with my dad and when he got up and spoke about Everton, he made the hairs stand up at the back of your neck. Alan James Ball, he loved Everton and we loved him. Martin Dunne.

* My hero, gone? I remember a christmas present from my late father when I was in junior school, Alan Ball's book, autographed by the man himeself! I wish I still had it now all these years later. Then there was the time we played Blackburn in the FA Cup at Goodison, and Bally sat on the ball! He was such a big figure in my happy childhood, he'll be greatly missed! Wally Riley.