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April 25, 2007
Memories of Alan Ball
I have just seen the sad news that England World Cup winning hero Alan Ball has died of a heart attack at the age of 61.
Ball was the kind of player much admired by football fans across the country no matter which club you supported and no one can ever forget the contribution he made to England's World Cup winning side in 1966.
My own memory of Ball is of 'chasing' him around Maidenhead town centre as a young boy in a bid to get his autograph.
If memory serves me right he had recently signed for Arsenal and to my surprise I spotted him out shopping with his late wife Leslie in Maidenhead.
At first my friend and me were too shy to go and ask him for his autograph and then faced another problem in that we didn't actually have anything for him to sign.
My friend was dispatched to purchase a notebook and pen while I kept track of Ball's movements until we actually plucked up the courage to get his autograph. He duly signed and even took the time and trouble to chat to us for a couple of minutes.
Fond memories of a truly great footballer and character who will be missed by the world of sport today.
Posted by aseal at April 25, 2007 8:29 AM