Alan Ball dies

Advantage Chelsea

Pompey announce new ground plan

—– The death is announced of Alan Ball, the youngest member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team.
Awarded the MBE in 2000, he suffered a heart attack late last night after attempting to extinguish a bonfire in his garden. He was 61.
Born in Farnworth, Alan becomes the second member of the ‘66 team to pass away. Captain Bobby Moore died of cancer in 1993.
The diminutive ginger-haired midfielder was a 21 year-old with Blackpool when, on that glorious July day, he became one of the game’s giants.
Although Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick led to the 4-2 win against West Germany, his team-mates have little doubt as to who was the true star of their finest hour.
Sir Bobby Charlton led the tributes: “He was probably the best player that day, and if it had not been for his impact the result could have been totally different.”
“He did not appear to have a nerve in his body, and he was an inspiration to us all.
“He was the youngest member of our squad and we were all looking forward to our latest reunion in two weeks. I am very sad and shocked by the news. Alan will be badly missed.”
The World Cup win soon led to a British record £110,000 move to Everton.
At Goodison Park, ‘Bally’ earned legendary status in the celebrated midfield ‘holy trinity’ with Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey that inspired the Football League title triumph in 1970.
Howard reflects: “We arrived at Everton in the same season and hit it off immediately.
“He was such a bubbly character, it was really Alan who made the partnership with me and Colin work as well as it did.
“This is a terrible loss for the club and for football.”
Another British record fee of £220,000 saw him move to Arsenal in 1971.
He later played for Southampton and in the United States before commencing his managerial career back at Blackpool.
In his new career, Alan went on to experience mixed success at Portsmouth (twice), Colchester United, Stoke City, Exeter City, Southampton and Manchester City but he was not to be match his achievements during his playing days.
Probably the most apt final words came from his fellow ‘66 hero and close friend, Jack Charlton: “Alan was a brave little fella. Everybody loved Alan; he was a lovely little lad.
“I’m laughing now because I am thinking of Alan. I am not happy and I don’t know why I’m laughing. It’s just thinking of him. I’ve got so many good memories of Alan Ball.”

—– Chelsea have a narrow but significant lead following their Champions League Semi-Final first-leg clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Joe Cole converts Didier Drogba’s cross after 29 minutes then deny the Reds a crucial away goal.
Liverpool would now have to score three times if Chelsea score at Anfield.
Match-winner Cole admits there’s all to play for in the return: “We’ll see the importance of the goal next week - it’s only half-time.
“Liverpool played well in the second half and there was a bit of fatigue creeping in. It’s one of those games where we had to dig in.”

—– Portsmouth announce plans to leave their atmospheric but creaking 20,000-capacity Fratton Park in 2011, and move to a new futuristic 36,000-seater stadium which will be built on reclaimed land in the city’s naval dockyards.
Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie explains: “Portsmouth is moving into a new dawn with the backing of owner Alexandre Gaydamak and these are very exciting times for the club both on and off the field.
“The new stadium is proof of where we want Pompey to be - playing at the highest level and in a stadium that is reflective of a top Premiership side.”
Fratton Park has been Pompey’s home since 1899, and another of British football homes will also soon be consigned to the history books.
St Mirren’s Love Street first staged football matches in 1894 but next season will be its last after planning permission is granted for the new 8,000-capacity Paisley Stadium.
A £15million deal to sell the Love Street site to supermarket giants Tesco will also clear the Buddies’ debts.