Michael Jensen, Wales
Alan was a great footballing player who had the skill, passion and technique which embodied a great footballing player. He was an Arsenal and Everton football legend and will truly be missed for his ambition to play football in england Condolences are with his family and his closet friends. Rest In Peace Bally. We'll all miss you.
Tony Devine
Me and my mates were in tears when you went to Arsenal - we are again now. A great player,a great man, we will never forget you.
Celia
Although I am a Red supporter, I wanted to say how sad I was to hear the awful news. Alan Ball was a great footballer. My earliest football memories of him were as a worthy opponent to Liverpool but most of all he embodied the best elements of the game, a fierce competitor on the pitch but away from it, a true gentleman. He will be sadly missed. Condolences to his family.
J Lee
A seemingly forgotten part of Alan's career was his vital role in Vancouver's North American championship victory in 1979, when Vancouver overcame all the odds and the stars of New York Cosmo's to post a great victory. We will always remember Alan Ball in Vancouver. Farewell Alan, and may you rest in peace
Derek Ward
In 1969 i was 13 and lived opposite Tommy Wright-Bally often picked him up on way to Bellfield for training. On one occasion i ran out to get his autograph, he signed my book and said "if we are late i will tell Mr Catterick, Everton's next centre forward kept us talking"A true legend & has gone. But will NEVER be forgotten.
Mark McQueen
My idol. Had the privilege of watching him regularly (thanks to Dad's season tickets)from '66 to '71, when he was in his pomp. Most vivid memory was his single handed destruction of Man Utd on the opening day of the 67/68 season. There was, is and never will be another like him. The Ball of Fire will never be extinguished..
Steve Mahon
Two years Alan was the Speaker at a dinner ro raise funds for Redgate Rovers. I set an Alan Ball quiz & 1 question I asked was who were the makers of his famous white boots. Bally called me over 'Do you know I never liked those white boots, I much preferred my Adidas. I used to get Terry Darracott to put tennis shoe whitener on them so you couldn't tell the difference. So I didn't wear the Hummel much. It was ok until Hummel sent a bloke over to watch me at Goodison. It started to rain during the first half & Labby was killing himself laughing as I came off at half time down the tunnel with my boots now black!' And of course he got all the other questions about himself spot on. He inspired the whole audience that night & the memories will live on forever.
john marsden
a ball off fire a real showman i remember him sitting on the ball during a match it was a pleasure to watch him R.I.P bally
Steve Davies
My good friend John H Stracey introduced me to Alan about 5 maybe 6 years ago.We where at a charity function in North Wales.I wanted to thank him for all the joy he gave to so many .All I could think of doing when i met my idol was to drop to my knees and kiss his feet. He laughed out loud and said "get up lad and have a pint with me" which I duly did .What a lovely man.Thanks Bally and thanks John H for the introduction..Stevie Davies Wallasey
Tony Jermyn
Never met Bally but adored him from the terraces.A GREAT BLUE
Denis & His Dad
The greatest player ever to wear the blue shirt. His vision was amazing. I remeber him picking Harvey out from one touchline to the other without looking away from the defender trying to tackle him.
Martin Stewart
I have no personal memories of Alan Ball whatsoever as I was too young to be lucky enough to see him wearing the blue shirt.But the mere fact that I and an army of similarly aged Evertonians are today mourning his passing is the biggest definition of the word "Legend" you could ever wish to see.
Carol
He was one of my hero's, watching Everton as a girl.Queded up for ages to get him to sign his book, when he spoke to me I was to overcome to answer. One of the best.
Geoff (True Blue)
As a child I cried when he left Everton, today as a man I cried when he left the world. Once everton has touched you nothing will be the same. (Bally)
jimmy connor
in the fa cup in 1967 when he scored the winning goal. i was at anfield watching it on the big screen.alan was a thorough gentleman
mick
truly a great player will be greatly missed by all football fans red or blue
Alan Johnston
I had the pleasure to see him in those magical years there was no one better
Joe (Joe from Croxteth )
I was mad red when everton signed alan ball after the world cup in 1966. I did however watch everton quite often with me mates, but what a player! his passing, technique and footbal brain together with his enthusiasm which could rub off on his team mates. How i wish liverpool would have signed him.It's sad that the likes of him nad the mighty emlyn hughes played with roar passion which unfortunately we don't see a great deal of today
Sam Wraith
Alan Ball is THE reason why I'm a blue. My Dad used to watch both teams but favoured the reds (I think). From the first time I saw Bally run a game at Goodison I was a Blue. Memories? Too many really. Probably his hat - trick sticks in my mind against Southampton in the snow when it finished 8-0. Big Joe got four but I can't remember who got the other goal that day. Can anyone help me on that one? One of the greatest of all our players. Red hair, blue shirt and white boots - an England legend. When I was an apprentice I used to get the bus into work every day and meet Burt an exiled Spurs fan. He worked in the same place as me. He would have a go at both the Everton and Liverpool lads but I'll never forget the day he said to me "I see your hero has gone to the gunners". I thought it was another of his winde ups untill he threw me his morning paper. I couldn't believe the headline in his Express "BALL SIGNS FOR ARSENAL." I'll forgive you for that now, Alan. R.I.P. "Who's the greatest of them all? Little curly Alan Ball."
Sophie
I met Alan the other week at an Everton event, he was one of the nicest people i have ever met. The stories he told about his father and the world cup were hilarious. he will be sadly missed and never forgotten. RIP
keith myers
a great playera great mana great evertoniani cried as a nine year old when he left everton,and i cried today 36 years laterR.I.P BALLIE we will never see your likes again
Tom
I watched Ball, Harvey and Kendall from the terraces as a star struck teenager, now in my fifties I am still in awe of the power, majesty and energy that was served up to us routinely every week, but I didn't appreciate the passion of the man until I attended a dinner a couple of years ago and heard him speak about our club and then sing "The banks of the Royal Blue Mersey" end to end without a fault. Linda Mac paid him a wonderful tribute on merseyside tonight playing "Thank you for the days". It says it all. RIP Alan, a five and a half foot giant!
Nogger
Not only was he a Everton legend but he was also a footballing legend"once a blue always a blue"R.I.P Ballie
Steven J
A great man and player, RIPNIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM
john oppenheim
I meet Alan ball back in sixties when I use to work as a doorman at the beachcomber club and Alan turning up one night and asking if he could bring in a few friends I spoke to my boss Jim Ireland he said o.k Alan went out to see his friends , I went to the door to let him back in then notice coach which he had just got of and he brought his "friends" Tottenham f.c the team they had played that Goodison that night!
Alex De Gier
An outstanding player who made others around him better players.There are so many memories.-Sitting on the ball and goading Tommy Smith to tackle him.- making Johnny Morrissey run-the cup tie goal against the Reds in 1967-the excitement and anticipation of him and The Golden Vision on the same park-destroying Chelsea at Easter 1970 when they were challenging us and Leeds for the title.-being carried by Joe Royle with one arm aloft taking the plaudits of the Goodison crowd.Another great hero gone RIP Bally (and Labby)A sad day for not only Evertonians but for the World of Football
Julie
Alan was the ultimate footballer, almost telepathic with those around him, he had the quickest feet I have ever seen, a true legend.He was true gent always willing to have a chat even to an awe inspired young girl who wanted to play for Everton more than life itself!!Say hi!!! to Labby for me God bless xx little Julie xx
Keith Williams
I joined Everton 1968 to 71 I was lucky enough to have been their with such great sportsmen, Alan being the biggest. He was such a character on and off the field. He had so much influence in the dressing room as he was on the field. I was so sad to have heard the news this morning, massive lost, my heart goes out to his family.
scott sims
R.I.P EVERTON AN ENGLAND LEGEND
Alan Williams
The white boots, the passion, the cheekiness, the winner. Thanks for the memories.
emma coleman
he was the best player ever and i will miss him very much god bless xxxxx
Peter Taylor
altho I'm a Red, I have early memories as a kid of the Everton games I used to go to with my mates in those days I would go to both LFC & EFC game, but my memory of Bally was his white boots & dribbling with the ball then goading a player to tackle him by kneeling on the ball momentarily then dribbling off again. Unique.
Gary Nelson
R.I.P Alan Ball Football Legend
Dave. Huyton
One of the Everton great's. He'll be sadly missed
Bazza Adelaide
Alan...Vale mate!
