Legends shouldn't die unexpectedly in their early 60's, they should live forever - or at the very least pass away peacefully in their sleep in their 90's. So it was devastating to hear on 25th April 2007 that Alan Ball had died of a heart attack at the age of 61. The fact that his death came exactly a year to the day after that of his erstwhile teammate Brian Labone, who himself was only 66, just makes it all the sadder.
Alan Ball joined Everton for a then British record transfer fee of £110,000 in 1966, shortly after starring for England in the famous World Cup Final victory, a match which had seen him win only his 14th cap for his country, having turned professional just 4 years earlier.
Don Revie had wanted him at Leeds but couldn’t persuade his board to stump up the cash. What a mistake it turned out to be because Ball became the key signing that turned Everton into the country’s top side.
He was an inspirational footballer. Geoff Hurst got the plaudits for England in the 1966 World Cup but it was Ball, the youngest member of the team, who was the engine – endlessly running, tackling and harassing – and even finding enough breath to sprint upfield and scream for a pass as Hurst smashed his hat-trick goal at the end of extra time in the Final.
It was this energy and tenacity that endeared him most to Everton fans and got him into trouble too – he was the stereotypical fiery and temperamental redhead and the enduring image is of him and his squeaky voice having a go at someone (anyone!) on the pitch - whether it be an opponent, the ref or a team-mate.
But it wasn’t just his workrate that impressed. The boy could play. He had a fabulous first touch, he specialised in defence-splitting passes to the likes of Alex Young or Joe Royle and he could score goals, notching 15, 20 and 16 in his first 3 League campaigns for us. He scored the winner on his debut at Fulham and then a week later, in only his 3rd game for the club and in front of 64,000 fans, he got 2 in the first 20 minutes in a 3-1 win over Liverpool at Goodison. He was an instant hero! And his iconic status increased a few seasons later when he started wearing his white boots!
His five years at Everton saw the formation of the Ball-Kendall-Harvey midfield trio, certainly the best Everton has ever seen and possibly one of the best unit’s that English football has ever witnessed.
Sensationally, in December 1971, Harry Catterick sold Ball - against Ball's wishes - to Arsenal for £220,000, another British record fee, less than a year after telling the world that he wouldn’t sell him for a £1 million.
Why was he sold? Possibly because the team had slumped after the Championship-winning heights of 1969-70, Catterick wanted to make changes and head in a different direction and the fee was too much to resist. It was a big mistake though. The fans were apoplectic and Everton continued their descent.
Whilst we struggled through the 70s, Ball had 5 successful years at Highbury and continued to be an integral part of the England set-up. His heart always remained at Everton, though – the club at which he had his greatest years and where he cemented his reputation as one of football’s true legends. He will be sorely missed.
The stats:
League |
FA Cup |
Lge Cup |
Europe |
Other |
Total |
|||||||||||||
Starts |
Subs |
Gls |
Starts |
Subs |
Gls |
Starts |
Subs |
Gls |
Starts |
Subs |
Gls |
Starts |
Subs |
Gls |
Starts |
Subs |
Gls |
|
1966-67 |
41 |
0 |
15 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
51 |
0 |
18 |
1967-68 |
34 |
0 |
20 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
0 |
20 |
1968-69 |
40 |
0 |
16 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
49 |
0 |
18 |
1969-70 |
37 |
0 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
0 |
12 |
1970-71 |
39 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
0 |
8 |
1971-72 |
17 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
0 |
3 |
Total |
208 |
0 |
66 |
22 |
0 |
6 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
10 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
251 |
0 |
79 |