Bio:
Ball’s performances in the 1966 World Cup winning England team attracted the attention of a number of clubs bigger than Blackpool. He was eventually sold to Everton for a fee of £112,000 in August 1966, at the time a record transfer fee paid to an English club. At Everton, Ball settled into what became regarded as his generation’s best Everton midfield trio, alongside Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall (they are still affectionately referred to as “The Holy Trinity”). Everton reached the 1968 FA Cup Final, but lost to West Bromwich Albion and were knocked out by Manchester City in the semi-finals the following year. Ball was as instrumental a player in the team as ever, as Everton took the 1970 Football League Championship title, seeing off a late challenge from Leeds United.
Back at club level, Everton again capitulated in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1971, with Ball’s opening goal overhauled by two strikes from Merseyside rivals Liverpool, who went on to lose the final to “double”-chasing Arsenal. Ball played 259 times for the Toffees, in all scoring 79 goals.
Factfile:
- Full Name: Alan James Ball
- Position: Midfield
- Date of Birth: 12.05.1945
- Birthplace: Farnworth
- Nation: England
- Club Career: Everton
- Period: 1966-1971
- League Games, 208
- League Goals, 66
- Previous Club: Blackpool
- Transfer Fee: £112.000
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