Alan Ball RIP

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing on of the great Alan Ball.

Alan played for Southampton Football Club but I can't say I really remember him as a player. My two main memories of the great man are him getting the best 18 months out of Matt Le Tissier and having the privilege to meet the man himself at a Guide Dog evening at a pub my mum used to be assistant manager at (The Silver Fern in Warsash).

He was a wonderful man and touched the lives of many people, especially in the footballing words of Southampton, Portsmouth and Everton. As someone said recently "It takes a very special person to be a hero at both Southampton and Portsmouth!"

Alan was the youngest player to play in the 1966 cup final and was the players man of the match. He joins Bobby Moore in the world cup heaven and I'm sure Bobby has a beer or two waiting for him.

Alan you will be greatly missed.

Vicky xxx (picture with thanks to BBC)