Ronnie Goodlass is staging a tribute evening to Alan Ball at the Devonshire House Hotel, Edge Lane on May 11th 2012 and it promises to be an emotional evening.
Ronnie said: 'I idolised Bally and still do.'
'I used to do Bally's boots when I was an Everton apprentice and I was the first to get a pair of his white boots off him. If only I had kept them!'
'People ask me why was he was so good? I say because not only did he have great talent but that he wanted to improve on that talent and every time he played or trained he wanted to be the best and show that he was the best.'
'He took a pride in himself. He was immaculate off the pitch and on it, and of course he always had the cleanest boots because I had done them for him! I say to youngsters now, pick the right role model. I did with Bally.'
'He always asked me how I had done when I played for Everton's Youth team or Reserves and he always gave me encouragement. When I played for Everton v Arsenal at Highbury, I was warming up before kick off and heard someone shout to me from Arsenal's half. I turned around and it was Bally.
'He said: 'Ronny, keep getting the crosses in,' and wished me all the best. That sums up the man for me.'
Five years on from Alan Ball's sad passing away, Ronnie Goodlass is staging a tribute evening which will include the screening of an emotional DVD of Ball (left), speaking a few months before he died.
There will also be action of Ball during his Everton career on plasma screens around the room, being interviewed by Everton TV and quotes from supporters on Radio Merseyside when he left.
Former team-mates of Ball will be present to pay their own tributes, with money raised from the evening funding Goodlass' Health Through Sport scheme, an initiative to aid Merseyside youngsters from a variety of marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds.
A table of 12 is £450 or £45 per ticket. For ticket information please contact 0151-264-6600 (Quote: Blue Kipper)
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