* I was lucky enough to meet Alan Ball at an after dinner speech he gave to my football team a couple of years ago. He was a true great. I have only seen clips of hat he did for Everton but just from those clips i can see he was a Legend!! I can only wish to have seen him in his prime. Makes me sick that he was never knighted for what he did for this country and Everton. He will always be Sir Alan Ball to me. I was devastated to hear of his passing. Our loss is the green pitch of Heavens gain. R.I.P Sir Alan Ball forever an Evertonian and a true Blessing for this club his family and everyone who ever knew him. Dan Payne

* Blackpool v Everton at Bloomfield Road was Joe Royle's debut. Alan Ball playing for Blackpool stopped the game and sat on the ball in the centre circle just to show how good he was. Everton lost and Harry Catterick was assaulted by fans after the game. Not too long after that he joined us and became a GOODISON GOD. Even when he broke our hearts and went to Arsenal he was at all times warmly received by the fans when he played against us. Not like when the likes of Rooney, Radzinski and Jeffers etc return. Kendall, Ball and Harvey THE HOLY TRINITY. Privileged to have seen him play. Jack Warner

* I am Evertonian living in Rome. My first games at Goodison were Easter 1967 when we played Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday. Alan Ball and Joe Royle were my heroes growing up. I cried twice for Everton in those years - when we lost the cup in 1968 and when we sold Bally to Arsenal. My memory is it was around Christmas time - some Christmas for Evertonians. I have always thought he was underrated by non-Evertonians as a player and it is good to see him getting his rightful place as an all time great. Albeit many years too early. I always thought he owned a petrol station on the Southport Road, Formby and would make my dad fill up there. I did a quick check of his record and compared it Paul Scholes - the player most commentators are suggesting is a modern version. Bally scored every 3 games for Everton over 5 years - Scholes every 4 for United. He is the best player I have seen for Everton - my dad says Tommy Lawton was his favourite. I am sorry not to be at Goodison on Saturday - but I am sure that those there will do Alan and his family proud. Michael Barber

* When my 9 year old son heard the result from Upton Park last Saturday, he turned to me and said, 'Dad, Catterick should never have sold Alan Ball' Like everyone else in my family he was brought up properly and knows his history. He had been told by me many, many times that Bally was the greatest player that I have ever seen in the famous royal blue jersey (and the best one-touch footballer I've ever seen) - and given that I saw the likes of Alex Young etc that is saying something. My Uncle George told me all about Dixie, my Dad told me all about T.G. Jones and Dave Hickson and I have told my kids about Harvey, Kendall, Ball etc. Thankfully, I still have my white boots that I wore with such pride all those years ago along with stacks of memories. (scoring the winner in the 1967 FA Cup victory over the pinkies stands out for me) It was simply a privilege to watch you play and you will never be forgotten by Evertonians - even the ones who weren't old enough to see you play - because whenever Evertonians are talking about the blues; great players, great matches, great memories, it will not be long before your name crops up. God Bless. Yosser, Rabit & Midge

* A genuine guy, a genuine legend and most of all a genuine blue. Forever missed Alan, now just give us one last show of your magic and then rest in peace. Its just a little thing, help us into europe. Love you Alan Birdy

* I was seven years old, Xmas 1971, my Mam walked the legs off herself looking for white boots for me and my brother for Xmas. She paid a fortune for two tiny pairs of white Hummels, then the week before Xmas Bally went to Arsenal. But we still loved him, especially for the way he'd play out of his skin whenever the Arsenal played Liverpool. Alan, if you see my Mam up there, give her a kiss from me for those white boots. Peter Hatch

* For me, quite simply, the Spirit of Everton Football Club, in human form !. I was lucky enough to watch you play on many occasions, never lucky enough to meet you. As a 50 year old, I'm proud to say, you were and still are, "My hero", and the greatest player I have ever seen, bar none!. God Bless Alan, condolences to your family and fellow Evertonians, Rob Clarke, Stockport

* "Once Everton has touched you nothing will be the same" Alan Ball. Never a truer word spoken alan ball touched all our hearts the midfield fireball part of the greatest midfield trio this world has ever or will ever see. Part of a very exclusive group of englishmen to lift the Jules Rimet cup. A true gentleman allways had time for an autograph or a chat about the blues. A LEDGEND in every sence of the world. A man that will be adored by EVERTONIANS forever a TRUE BLUE "one evertonian is worth 20 liverpudlians" Labone Forever in our hearts R.I.P Nil Satis Nisi Optimum ROY BATES

* As an Evertonian living in Vancouver Canada I was lucky enough in 1979 to watch Bally play for the Vancouver Whitecaps and lead them to the NASL Championship. He was class in England and Canada. I remember calling my Dad from work to tell him the great news that Bally had been traded to us. He was head and shoulders above anyone who played in that league, his class shone through every game, he was a sheer pleasure to watch. It is a sad day for anyone who loves and understands football. But it is a sadder day for us Evertonians, and Whitecap fans who got to see his magic first hand. Steve

* So many of the tributes to the great man mention how devastated we all were at his sale to the Arse. None of the fans understood it, and in his weekly column in Shoot! magazine I clearly recall Bally saying he never wanted to leave but was given no option. Catterick evidently took him to one side after the deal was done and said "One day I'll tell you the full story behind this transfer". Wonder if he ever did. Steve Conway

* WE ALL HAD HEROS WHEN WE WERE KIDS MY HERO WAS A PLAYER CALLED ALAN BALL. THERE I WAS VERY YOUNG TIED UP AROUND THE BARRIER IN THE STREET END, SCARF KNITTED BY MUMS GRAN, SO BY THE END OF THE GAME THE SCARF WAS ABOUT 20 YARDS LONGER WHEN I FIRST WENT IN. MUST OF BEEN AROUND 8 OR 9 YEARS OF AGE, AND I REMEMBER A PLAYER RUNNING ON TO THE PITCH WITH BRIGHT RED HAIR, HE WAS FANTASTIC. I ALWAYS REMEMBER ON A PARTICULAR DERBY, BALLY SITTING ON THE BALL DURING PLAY, ASKING TOMMY SMITH TO COME AND GET IT, THE BLUE ARMY WENT WILD. THERES A TEAR IN ME HEART TODAY FELLA, WHOS THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL LITTLE CURLY ALAN BALL. John Witter

* I cried and sulked for weeks in 1971 when we sold Bally to Arsenal (I was 9 years old). I am 45 years of age now and feel like I did in 1971 absolutely devastated. He was my first hero at Goodison and the greatest midfielder to play for us. Rest In Peace Bally you are sadly missed. Steve Entwistle Winsford

* Another great Evertonian leaves us. First Labby now Bally, were building a great team up there now!!! As a 42 year old, i just about remember Alan Ball playing for Everton, those white boots especially!!! Great player ... great Evertonian!!! Ste Johno (Nottingham)

* I was devasted 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)

* 24th April a year to the day since our greatest centre half, ‘The Last of the Corinthians’ Labby passed 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 the finest of them all, he completed our great ‘Holy Trinity’ of Harvey, Kendall & Ball ……….. Everywhere throughout the world Evertonians mourn together, as Bally lays to rest, we will always remember he really was the best. Rest in Peace Alan Ball ……. ‘A footballing genius and man of the people’ Steve Stratulis

* Absolutely gutted!!! The man was a genius, one of the best players this country ever produced! World cup winner, a gentleman & an Evertonian, say no more!!! R.I.P Alan, Stevie P - KIRKBY!

* I was 15 when I heard the news that Alan Ball was going to Arsenal, Ill never forget that day, I remember bursting into tears, my mam gave me a clip across the ear when she found out why I was crying. How could she understand, my hero was leaving us. Today as I send this email theres still tears. Wayne, Wales

* I'm heartbroken, I've never been so upset about a footballer since the day 'The Catt' sold the great man to Arsenal. Alan will today be with his childhood sweetheart Lesley, and of course his skipper Labby. "If there's thunder in the air tonight lads, it's only Bally going in for a 50/50 with Billy Bremner. God bless Alan R.I.P Billy Butt.

* I am known as BJ LAWSON, I am seen at any BLUENOSE PROMOTIONS events, I have the honour of warming up the audience, sing a few songs, also some EFC songs (of course) and basically start the proceedings. My last BLUENOSE event was at the Adelphi Hotel, when once again I had the honour of sharing the top table with such luminaries as Ray Wilson, Alex Young, a top table with an incredible line-up, and of course Alan Ball was there. As ever he sang the praises of his many merseyside fans who have followed his career, and were also saddened at his personal tragedies. He was one of the few speakers who spoke without notes, he just spoke from the heart, and judging by the stories that have come out since his very sad demise he had a big big heart few people knew about. The day he died I believe will be one of those days where people in years to come will be able to tell you exactly where they were, and what they were doing when the late great ALAN BALL passed away. There are only a few people who have done that with me personally and they are BILL SHANKLY and JOHN LENNON. Alan Ball was truly a great man who gave so much and expected nothing in return but he recieved so much love from fans worldwide, especially here in the city of Liverpool Bob Lawson

* Gutted,absolutely gutted.im working away with people from alround the country and they all sympathise.what a loss.R.I.P. BALLY! graceyefc in alaska.

* My late dad's favourite player of all time Bally can be summed up with one phrase Nil Satis Nisi Optimum Rest in Peace
Don , Tuebrook

* One of my great memories of Bally was when he came back to Goodison with Southampton on 7 October 1978. All the lads talked about on the coach journey to the ground was not of the Everton team, but of Bally returning to his spiritual home. When the teams were announced Bally got a standing ovation, not the usual barracking that a player gets when he plays against his former club, and he was reduced to tears – and subsequently produced a stinker of a performance in a 0-0 draw. The reception that he got that day summed up what the fans thought of him and what he thought of the club. R.I.P. LEGEND Graeme Crewe

* I feel like a part of my childhood was lost yesterday when I heard about Bally. When I was seven and he was in his pomp as a blue, we'd won the league and I harassed my mum not just for a blue shirt, but one with the number eight on the back. The day she went to town to buy it for me, I ran home from school as if my life depended on it, to see if she'd bought it. She had, and she'd already sewed the number eight on the back. To cap it, a couple of years later I was still wearing the shirt during school footy trials at St. Margaret Marys in Dovecot, and when the teacher shouted out who was picked for the final trial, he shouted out 'Alan Ball, you're in'...I couldn't stop smiling all the way home. Thanks for memories Bally, condolences to your family, Rest in Peace. Brian Kelly

* I was 10 when we signed him and he was my first ever hero. I can't believe that he's gone. It feels like a member of the family has been taken and I can't stop crying. What a spine God's team in heaven has got:- Labbie, Bally and Dixie Blue Bill is right, I am broken-hearted. Billy Bluenose.

* What a shock! Alan Ball was one of the greatest football players ever. I remember looking that genius, with his blue shirt, in TV. When I heard the sad news, I was devastated and I almost cry. Even in Cyprus, we know about his brilliance. I am a Man United fan, but the second team in my heard is Everton F.C. Don’ t ask how could this be… Bally, will live for ever. Michalis

* Alan Ball was, is, and always be my hero. I was 8 when he arrived and his number 8 was stitched onto the back of my Everton shirt shortly after! You always felt that we'd win with Bally in the team, and he could do something special at any moment. Like so many others I cried when he was sold to Arsenal - I'm doing that again now, aged 48. A world class player, scored goals, always gave 100% in every single game, and he loved our great Club - what more could you want from a footballer? RIP Bally. Peter Owen

* The story that i always remember about bally was one i heard he told after he had finished playing. Recounting the first time he went to back goodison park with Arsenal and how the reception he got so overwhelmed him he couldnt perform .A lot of players return to former clubs and get good receptions, and then play their normal game. For him to be affected in such a way shows just how much Everton meant to him. To be idolised when you play for a club is normal, to have the same fans idolise you when you play for the opposition shows how great a player you are, I think that day he found out how much he meant to us,and he still means the same today. A true legend A true gent,will be greatly missed. R. I. P. ALAN. Steve Smith

* I would like to pass on my sympathies to his family and say that their father gave me the greatest pleasure outside of my wife and children, I am 56yrs of age so I dont know about before he came to EVERTON but there has never been a footballer of his like here or for that matter produced by any other club in England. The man was a genius speed of thought,ultra quick feet and an appetite for work that you dont normally get in a superstar but he had it all. A lot of guys my age or thereabouts will be very sad at this time but they will be like me and be thinking were they can have a bet on a heavens eleven captained by bally for the F.A. CUP next year. goodnight and godbless BALLY YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED. Tony Wright , Gold Coast, Australia.

* As a 15 year old kid - working on the fruit market - I will never forget that morning when Catterick sold Ball. Me and my mate Smogger sat outside the gates on Prescot Rd and genuinely wept with despair when we realised it was a done deal and our beloved Bally was off to Arsenal. The previous few years we had literally followed Everton all over the country to watch the blues. He was our hero. The rest were fantastic players, Harvey, Kendall, Royle..but Alan Ball was THE GREATEST. God Bless and rest in peace Alan. Tony Wardale Liverpool

* My first ever role model. I tried, unsuccessfully, to acquire the voice, persuade my mum to dye my hair red and convince my dad that white boots would make me play for Everton. However, I've never forgotten one thing you taught me - NEVER GIVE UP - and for making that a part of my character I will always be grateful. Alan Ball RIP. Dave Harrison