Alan Ball

shiftygooner · Post by **shiftygooner** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:16 am

Just heard the news about Alan Ball passing away.

He was a great player and gave his all for the Arsenal even though he played for us at a time when we were very bad.

I even had a pair of white football boots as a kid because he wore them.

Very, very sad news.

stearmaster · Post by **stearmaster** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:23 am

R.I.P.

Post by **Dicko** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:43 am

Heard this as I got on the train this morning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6590715.stm

RIP Alan.

proudtosaythatname · Post by **proudtosaythatname** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:45 am

Also just seen the news. Although he joined us when quite mature Bally really managed to encapsulate the Arsenal spirit. A very sad loss.

MK Gould · Post by **MK Gould** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:08 am

I guess most people will remember Ball for England, Everton & Southampton. As others have already said, he joined us when we were crap, and when he was in the twilight of his career. However, I remember a little tiger of a player - exactly what's missing from our midfield at the moment! He also scored the 1st hat trick of my own Arsenal "career" - in a 6-1 win against West Ham. He also sounds like he was also a really nice guy. RIP. Hope we do him the honour of a minutes silence at the weekend.

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:13 am

Sad news all right. He was the one bright light in a pretty dire team at the time. A mate of mine met him once back in the 80's and said he was a real nice bloke. RIP

Cus Geezer · Post by **Cus Geezer** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am

I've got a story regarding Alan Ball.

Appearently sometime in the mid 70s during my dad's Sunday League football days, when the fixture programme was cancelled due to international matches in the week, Alan was spotted walking across Wanstead Flats in his football boots.

He walked over to my dad's side and asked if there was any chance of a game. Of course they jumped at the chance, they approached the other side and the referee and asked if it was ok if Alan Ball could play, they both agreed.

Apparently Alan was playing with all the enthusiasm as if it was the first division, the other side were not going easy on him either trying to clatter him at every opportunity. When he scored during the game he was punching the air too!

I can't imagine Henry or Baptista doing that

N22Gooner · Post by **N22Gooner** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 2:50 pm

I reckon Toure would play for free and do what bally did.
The most comiited player we got..

azz91 · Post by **azz91** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:00 pm

R.I.P ALAN BALL