Alan Ball Unseen

The big "C" is frightening enough when you have it yourself and don't know how it's going to go, but for you wife and daughter to have it?

Still feel sad at Bally's passing as I do at Howard's.

Many great memories growing up and the plan to send all his memorabilia to Harry Catterick with the words "Lest we forget". Dark day when he was sold.

This season came close with each game Allardyce managed against a top-six team.

In some respects he had the same attitude to the game as Tim Cahill had, he simply hated getting beat, and woe betide any team mate who failed to give 100%, he was right on their case.

At the time, he WAS Mr Everton. Rumours abounded on Merseyside just why he left, unless you spoke to Harry Catterick at the time, I guess we'll never know the real reason.

At the time, nearly all footballer's on Merseyside lived in either Formby or Maghull, and I remember in about 1970, he was parked in a World Cup sponsored white Ford Corsair on Wango Lane in Aintree, probably on his way home from Bellefield.

Time plays it's own tricks on your mind, I'd have never have guessed he played for Arsenal longer than he did for his beloved blues.

Ok, tin hat time now, was he best player I ever saw play for Everton?, no, I think Rooney was a better technical player, certainly as a raw 16 year old.

Was he the most loved and influential player I have ever seen in an Everton shirt, resoundingly YES.

Like Cahill, he seemed to reserve his best performances when we played our lovable neighbors across the park. He was absolutely fearless when he played against them, whether at Goodison or Anfield. I will NEVER forget his winner against them in the FA Cup when the match was screened on large screens at Anfield.

On that night, he achieved legendary status. What a man.

Bally was the perfect example and maybe Rooney was also. There are arguably others of course but the Seventies league winning side was destined for greater things.

There is always speculation surrounding these things and the players involved are probably reluctant to say why at the time as it could affect their future careers with other clubs etc.

What went wrong with Barklay and what really happened between Koeman and Niasse are some questions we may have. Something or nothing at all ?

In retrospect we all know Alan Ball was a tremendous player and had many years left in him much to Everton's dismay.

I loved Bally - the Holy Trinity will live on and on in the hearts of Evertonians.

For those of us old enough to remember, Alan Ball was plainly and simply Mr Everton. As with Ron #8, the day we sold him ranks as the worst in my life as an Evertonian. Totally irrational and bemusing.

In October 1975 - I was living in London - I went to Highbury to watch Arsenal v Man. City. Do you want to know why? Ball was playing for the Gunners and Joe Royle for City. A trip down Memory Lane. And they both played very well, each of them scoring a goal (it finished 3-2 to City, and Rodney Marsh was probably the best player on the pitch).

Thank you very much for sharing, James.

Poignant and painful to read, a fabulous player, I think in his first season I saw every game he played in at home, but fame is no shield to life, I hope his life is an inspiration to both players and supporters, to live a life the best way he can.

Quite simply the best footballer to pull on the blue shirt for Everton in my lifetime. Like Ron Marr, the day he was sold was - by a country mile - my saddest ever day as a Blue.

Loved him to bits as a player, a man and - as James reports - a doting family man.

Nice to read and see your focus on the human side, rather than focussing on his football history. Well done James. And thanks to Bally's family for allowing it to enter the public domain.

Who recalls the free magazine that would be given away free, stapled inside the match day programme, 'The Football League Review' back in the day?

On the cover of one was a photo to the two Alan Balls, snr. and jnr., playing chess. On the inside was an article on an interview with the two.

The journo opened his piece by explaining the cover photo: "The photographer thought to stage a photo of father and son playing chess, but they argued so much over the positioning of the pieces on the board that they started a proper game...and that is the photo the photograph took."

A wee inkling into where Bally got his combative nature from and the endearing relationship 'twixt father and son.

Easily the best and most cherished BLUE - any real supporter was fortunate to see.

COYB.

The passion for the game was exemplified by Bally... committed and courageous.

Yes, there was a bit of that in Cahill... but my schoolboy memories are of our Ginger Terrier... My love of the game and Everton FC comes from those times and those players.

God bless you, Alan Ball.

I often think back to that day, and I thought it at the time tbh, as being the day that we, as a club, began to accept being second best, mediocre, also-rans. Bally was our leader, our best player, our inspiration (we all had the number 8 shirt) and his leaving ripped the heart and soul out of the club never to replaced.

My son knew why he was wearing Number 8 all those years, but he could never appreciate the pleasure it gave me watching him get stuck in with that number on the back of his blue shirt.

In 1970 just before the World Cup England beat Belgium 1-3 at their place, Bally scoring twice. The Belgian manager said at the end, "It's hard enough trying to beat England, but to have to beat England AND Alan Ball is like playing two teams. It is impossible!" Said it all really.

True legend of the English game, sadly missed.

Then we signed Alan Ball. He scored the only goal on his debut at Fulham. Then he tore the rs to bits at Goodison. Scored twice. 3-1. Just imagine that.

I remember Goodison Road the Saturday after Alan was sold, nobody talking about the match starting later but about the player we had lost.

Peter Mills gets it so right about the two Liverpool games within a few weeks of each other, They humiliated us in the charity shield game, miles better, then in the league game we did the same to them3-1 thanks to Bally. R I P Alan.

I saw both those Derby games and Ball made us, on his own it seemed, a better team, I think the bones were there and he just led by example.

I thought Rooney would do the same, but no. Ball for me, he did what Rooney had the potential for. It was a privilege to see him and that team play...I doubt we'll see the like again.

And that will never change.

I simply couldn't take my eyes off him.

Even that pic of him running on makes my heart beat a little faster.

He was..the greatest.

Eugene, by the way, don't think that making a cameo appearance and fucking off is okay. I don't think I am alone in wondering what your views are on the last six months.

I remember my dad and I went to a charity match at the old tower ground in New Brighton: All Stars 11 vs Football 11, I think that was it but my memory is cloudy and if anyone else can remember it, please feel free to correct it.

Anyway, during half-time, my dad and I were standing waiting to get a cuppa when the man standing next to me said, "Hello youngster, you enjoying the game?" in his squeaky type voice. He spoke to me for about 5 minutes; when we walked away, my dad asked me if I knew who I was talking to? I said "No."

Needless to say, it was Mr Alan Ball! Today I still get goose bumps thinking about it. A great man.

ps: My favourite Everton player: Alex Young.

What a very poignant article. So sad how life can treat people. He and his wife deserved so much better.

On City Road, where it goes over the railway (we used to call it 'the Brew'), was painted on the wall in thick white paint the name 'ALAN BALL'. It stood there for years, long after he'd left us.

I never saw him play for the Blues but he was my Dad's idol, so much so that me and my brother used to think that his full name was 'Alan Ball Brilliant'.

Bally was before my time but even the way the redshite eulogised about him showed he must have been some player. We could do with another one of him now.

There and then it sunk in: Alan Ball. He gave us life. I will always remember that feeling. Bally, lad — many many thanks.

Years later, I was playing non-league for John Roberts who played with him at Arsenal so, any chance I got, I'd ask him about Bally. He said he was the best one-touch passer of the ball he'd ever played with and a few moves ahead of others and a real character... sometimes nuts! Also, a good goal scorer from midfield. Look up his goals versus appearances for Everton – a striker would be pleased with them.

Then, years later, I was working in the leisure industry and, if I went to a club or hotel who had guest speakers on, I'd ask them if they'd had Alan Ball on. To a man they said one of the most passionate and inspirational. You could hear a pin drop when he spoke. Real shame there is very little footage of him playing for the Blues.

One morning, I went up to buy my newspaper as normal but unusually I started to read it from the front rather than from the back page as I strolled back to the caravan. When I eventually turned the paper over I saw the headlines: "Everton sign Ball"!!

Well I couldn't help myself I shouted "yes"! and ran back to the caravan to tell my Evertonian mates.

I've never forgotten the joy I felt that day or the despair when he was sold. It sickens me though that the club of greats like Ball, Young, Wilson, Labby, Kendall and Harvey is tainted by the name of Allardyce. How did it come to this?

There's a framed picture of the great man on the wall of the Raven pub in Waterloo, wearing his famous white boots but I also noticed the socks... a kinda pale Amber colour?

Blue shirts, white shorts, amber socks... I likes that!

One of the ultimate professionals was Alan Ball. My best player at Everton, ever. He wore our Royal Blue jersey with such pride. He covered every blade of grass. He was good for loads of goals too. Never seen him dive or roll around after being clogged by some thug.

Older generation always say "in our day" alas it is true. Honesty was still in the game. No swarming around referees, no sliding on your knees or bellies. Alan Ball never pulled out of a tackle and bollocked anyone who did, squeakily.

Who's the greatest of them all, little curly Alan Ball. love that man. Should have been Harry Catterick leaving Everton – not Bally.