little curly alan ball
Player Valuation: £70m
To my personal astonishment for your interest in the first place , so to those in Helmand Province , Afghanistan generally , or anyone in fact serving their Country when they could be at home with their families .
Stay safe , Peoples . THAT , is a Goddamned ORDER !!!
This is for you , lads / girls , and LCABabe ,... Thank you for saving this today , My Hotty .
May the Good Lord be with you all at this time of festivities , fun and family .
Welcome all to our little corner of the holidays .
For me , personally , trying to attempt to put into words what the effect and influence the focus of today’s lesson has had , and continues to exert , now 40 years later , upon the standards I set for myself , for the Team , The Club , my “ Firm “, my general , “ Evertonian-ness “ , and how my family regard me , is like beginning a Walking World Tour , with nothing but a pair of Green Flash and a bottle of water . Futile .
The term , “ Great “ , is bandied about in modern society far too often . In the case of the Gentlemen I am about to highlight , it is an understatement .
HE is the reason , my family aside , that I am the Blue I am today .
His restricted height only served to indicate to all his inner force , I was going to say drive , but drive is what normal humans have . This man , whatever he was , normal , was not amongst them . He was Lancashire , Northern , English and Evertonian , in reverse order . He was a winner for his whole career , while his opposition hated but ALWAYS respected him . He was to enjoy one of the finest careers of an English Footballer there has ever been , and thankfully , the Almighty deemed us worthy observers .
He is also , discounting my family , my favourite person to ever walk God’s Good Earth .
To try and convey even a smidgen of the effect that the focus of today , had , and still has in the way I , personally was raised and matured in supporting Everton on a long-term basis , I need to briefly focus inwards .
In being one so generally , DOWN , in all things - I kid you not , btw .. ; it is a contradiction , even to me , of my character that I can also be SO , Old Skool . Like , Victorian **** . Honestly .
Anyway , Everton Football Club , what it MEANS to be a PROPER Evertonian , is one of those areas that I am , and shall proudly remain , utterly Old Skool . I believe standards apply BOTH WAYS . We do NOT embarrass them , they do NOT embarrass us . Its how I was raised . All my Role-Models , Family wise , with the exception of Barbara , were active , match-going , mad-arse Blues . Long-Term . From a baby .
I was attending games regularly from 5 years onwards . I still go today . So do ALL me mates , me kids , me Sister’s kids , …
FUK , I’ve got nephews from Newcastle who are me ex-birds fambo , strictly speaking who have grown up raw arse Blues and are now tattooed - up , match attending Lifer’s-To-Be.
They see it . They GET it .
Q.E.D.
The POINT is , what it is to be a child of Goodison , at its very finest , is genuinely Spiritual . Thing is see , we class ourselves as different , or least we used to .. Better .We were classy .
Well , for me , my standards , my mores , when I shout to encourage or when to shut the fuk up as not to be destructive rather than constructive , yet also what it was to have the blas� confidence of the truly gifted , for years , were ALL as a DIRECT consequence of mine and my family’s exposure to the phenomenon that is the subject of today’s lesson .
When I say this man was Legend , I mean , he was the very best of us .
Us , the very best .
Ladies and Gentlemen , may I express my extreme pleasure in introducing , The One and ONLY , Alan James Ball , Jnr .
Bally , as we , whom would love him forever would term him , was brought into the World , in the Lancashire Village of Farnsworth , near Bolton , Lancashire , England , on May 12 , 1945 , as the Second World War finally ran itself out of breath . Austerity was everywhere . Everyone was skint , but tough as a Mufuka and PROUD .
Nevertheless , flame red-haired and freckles for EVERYONE , young Alan soon showed his talents with a football . He Arl Fella used to say , he knew he’d become a pro , just after the boy’s 4th birthday . I can quite believe it , like . See , Bally’s Da’ himself was a gifted Coach , later to manage at Professional level , but at this point a Joiner by day , whom was learning his trade in the , Right up in your face - even then , atmosphere of the Lancashire Combination League . Read Dixie , you’ll see . I know , me own Da’ played in it too , an’ told me .
So , move on until teenage years … Something that always gets missed with The Ball of Fire , is his brains . When anyone thinks “ Clever “ , of that time , Big Joe springs to mind . Fair enough . However , Alan Ball , like Mr. Royle , also attended Grammar School , a BIG deal in those days incidentally , for a working class kid . Thing was though , his football skills were already far outstripping both his peers’ and also his own intellect . There was a problem , however . He was 5ft 3’ , at that time .Moreover , he was to get into problems with his Headmaster as he was off playing football . His Arl Fella , of course , was having none of it . Quite right , too , incidentally . He knew more than anyone , and the educated eye that he had was immoveable in his belief that his Boy was the goods .
The REAL , HEAVY **** , Bomb-Bomb-Biggy , Goods .
However , he was Old Skool tough with it . Homework ; EVERY night . One hour with the ball . Sun , hail , rain or snow .
I imagine it was a little like , Travis Bickle Teaching Public Carriage Vehicle , courses . INTENSE !!!
Mr. Ball Snr. was driven . No two ways about it , and wasn’t easy on the kid , but primarily encouraged and nurtured . Thus , the lad , instead of rebelling strove ever on for acceptance .
Bally Snr. was also , however , INFORMED ; ..
†..You’ve got to be better than everyone else . Your passing , your control , your technique . It’s all terrific . All those will make up for your lack of size because your heart is big enough .There are seven days in a week , and you have to have six in , one out . Five in and two out , no . Four in and three out and you will never be a player , so don’t even think about going the other way ,..â€
Anyway , in a personal twist , me Arl Fella was taken to Wolves by Joe Mercer , he was injured and had to sack it . I KNOW for certain that he would’ve loved to have been five years younger . As , Bally also went to Wolves . Only on trail , unsuccessful , as it goes … ARE YOU SURE ??? Too small ???
Me Arl Fella would’ve had him all day . He did anyway , from the Bullens Road .
I digress , however , The Greatest of Them All went back to Farnsworth , and , Lo ! His door-step team Bolton finally responded to Mr. Ball Snr’s constant haranguing and , GAVE THE KID A CHANCE . Nevertheless , even though wholly impressed with his ability , they just could not get past the height thing . He was broken . Irrespective , on the return journey , he told his Da’ , his Life-Long Hero , incidentally , .. †It’s O.K. Dad . I’ll play for England by the time I’m 20 ,… “
His Da’ , though , as I noted earlier , was PROUD . They ALL were . So , he goes home , works weekends and late’s and buys young Alan a new pair of boots and says , where next ???
Thank the Good Lord he did . Finally , a contact at Bloomfield Road arranged for the lad to be given a
trial . He tore it up . Of course he did . He’s Bally ! Thing was though , listen to what he says about that time ,..
“ I knew I was going to play for my life . That was my attitude as I stripped to play with these strangers .â€
As a result , he was offered , and of course accepted gratefully , his first Professional Contract in May 1962 .
Within two years , he broke into their first team , making his Full Debut against , believe it or not , FATE , btw ; The RS at Grey Skull , in 1964 . Guess what ? They won 2-1 . Bally , see ?
Anyway , now 5ft 6’ and as tall as he will ever be , he played right wing in a League of renowned hard cases . Leeds United , City , the RS , Arsenal , Spurs . Everyone had a Hard-Case , Morrissey , Sandy Brown , our own ; and MOST had a Hard-Case full back . There’s was a fella called Ronnie Moran . You might have heard of him . Typical of both the zeitgeist and also the Cocky-Arse , Newly Promoted Beelzebub’s , as they are lining up , the soon to be fat , round , one hands Bally a piece of paper with the words , “ Liverpool Infirmary ; Evening Meal ,…â€
Anyway , he took the piss . They won 2-1 , and my mate stuck the first of very many two-fingered gestures to the Water-Wing’ers over the years .
O.K., so , All Systems Go ,.. He , car-less , cadges a lift of a team-mate home and waits for his Da’ to return from Ashton United , The Arl Fella’s then Club .
“ Dad . I was great today . “
“ .. Don’t come here , telling me you’ve Made It after one game .
You can call yourself a player when you have 20 first team games this season , not one game . It’s when you go in , day after day , and the manager and the other players know what to expect of you and that you are a good player . That takes time and experience ..â€
( No **** , I FEEL , like I LIVED with this Man ,…)
I highlight these instances not to make his Da’ out as a hard arse , but rather the formulation , the stoking of the furnace , as that is without doubt what it was , that forged the diamond tough little pocket battleship that turned up at Goodison ,..
More of that later ,…
In playing at Grey Skull , at age 17 years , and 98 days , he became Blackpool’s , of Matthews and Mortensen , youngest ever player . He went to Craven Cottage the day after Kennedy was Assassinated , a lucky ground for him for the next years and bagged a hat-trick soon after . Bally , being Bally though , he is involved in another on-field scrap , and sent off .
He was saying , “ I might be little , but don’t fuk with me , ‘cause I’ll have it . All day , every day ,…â€
However , him as I note , being him , and his 5ft 6’ inch frame but with personal standards somewhere over the Ozone Layer , he is happy with his game , but sometimes feels as if his feet are getting muddled up as he tries to manoeuvre quickly . He goes home , tells his Da’ . Arl Fella says ,
“ Spikes . “ He goes away , trains wearing spikes , thus making him lift his feet higher .
Problem solved without a Sport’s Psychologist in sight .
Another incident from his first campaign ; Blackpool played host to Busby’s Manchester United . Get on this , for Balls of Steel . My Cocky Fukn little mate , goes up to Denis Law , stands next to him and says ,
“ You’re finished . You’re old . Step aside . “ …Next time he received possession , Lawman crunched him , late . They get up killing each other . Both off . 9 game ban for Denis , 7 for Bally . More of Lawman later …
Another corker from me Bally Christmas Quote Cupboard . He takes his Grandda , a Geordie , to Manchester United on a night game ,…..
“ The Family unit was as tight as a clenched fist , liberally sprinkled with humour . …My Mum’s Dad , a Miner , made me laugh every time I spoke to him . As a bit of a treat , with my first Blackpool wages , I took him to Old Trafford to see Manchester United for a night game . Soon the wind was blowing the rain in on us . He removed his flat cap , and folded it into his pocket .
“ Don’t do that Granddad , your head will get cold . “
+“ I’m not sitting watching the Tele after with a wet cap on , Son ,…â€
Another time , he’s at Aresnal . Lesley and the kids are out . He comes home to find the door open and his Granddad and his own Great Dane sitting on the Chesterfield .
“ What are you doing , Granddad ??? “
“ I’m staring this bugger - the dog ; out . Bugger wouldn’t let me in the house until I’d fed him three pounds of lard through the letterbox ,…â€
What I am attempting is to illustrate is the Package . The hard arse desire , working class graft ethos , unshakeable self belief and a willingness , almost beautiful in its innocence , in the manner of striving , every single day to improve at a discipline he had long since mastered . To anyone present , it must have felt like sitting on a Mountain Top as our Lord begat Creation .
Of course , he prospered . Every challenge has was given , he just kept on kicking the arse out of it .
Now , whispers began to be heard about a possible England call . Alf Ramsey was famously noted for his , “ Wing-Less “ Wonders . Antithesis of the System Du Jour , he couldn’t have 2 wide men isolated when not in possession . He wanted to fill holes . Have mobility and more importantly be able to defend . Bally , whom could be used wide or centrally , fitted the bill perfectly
He was taken on a short tour of West Germany , Austria and Yugoslavia in May 1965 . He thought , after being sent off for the Under-23’s - Quelle Fukn Surprise !!!; that he would just be there to observe . However , the day before the Yugo’ game , Alf Ramsey , not a natural conversationalist , says to him ,
“ I think its about time you made your debut for your Country , young man . Don’t you ??? “
“ Too right !!! “ It was 3 days before his 20th birthday .
“ Don’t worry , Dad . I’ll play for England before I’m 20 . …â€
Just on this Tour , the next game Germany , Bally played in the middle with George Eastham of Stoke City .
“ He talked to me all through the game , and I watched his body shape and how he approached the ball or the way he stood as the ball came to him . He was never square , always on the half-cock , so he get his passes off . It was something I gratefully picked up and which became a feature of my game ,….â€
Coaches , ..Children … ; READ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Another factor indicative of the Planets , aligning generally , as regards Curly’s career , was the impending World Cup Championship to be held in England the following year . Ramsey was therefore looking to create a squad to push for the Trophy . Bally’s energy , enthusiasm and positional flexibility made him a favourite tool of the Poshest Working-Class Man EVER .
His , and indeed his Father’s dreams came true when Alan was chosen in both the provisional , pre-tournament squad , and also the squad proper
His Da’ said , “ Now get into the team …â€
Another little ditty , and to show Ramsey as the antithesis of Catterick’s Carrot and Stick approach .
Ramsey ; “ Do you think Bobby Moore can pass a ball ??? “ Bally ; “ Yes . Of course . “
“ Then why do you keep going back to take the ball off him ???
If he can find you 20-25 yards further forward you can hurt the opposition . Here , you just get me frustrated ,..â€
He was saying , they are frightened of you . Do what you do best in the area in which you do it best .
And Mrs. Ball did NOT raise any fools …
The World Cup Championships 1966 , got under way with the hosts , England facing Uruguay of South America . The event was magnificent , the game , so-so . They drew 0-0 . The Media pasted them . . However , young Alan was to suffer heartbreak , as in the wake of the backlash to the non-performance , the kid was dropped for the next game of Mexico . The side went on to win 2-0 , Hunt and Charlton’s famous rocket . Next came France . Still no Bally . Behind the scenes , he was shattered but put it in every day like he was taught .
Prior to the Quarter Final against Argentina , Ramsey came up to him .
“ How are you , young man ??? “ He conveyed his disappointment .
“ I don’t see why you should be disappointed , because you’ve got a job to do tomorrow . Their full back likes to attack . But he won’t be able to attack you ,..â€
He’s BA-A-A-A-A-C-C-C-C-C-K-K-K-K !!!
The Argentina game was more Rollerball than football , but nevertheless , they won . It was the Semi Final , and Ramsey stayed true to the selection . Ginger stays . Bobby Charlton’s brace and a late Eusebio penalty sees the Three Lions march into a World Cup Final , at Wembley .
The kid was literally , FLOATING to training .
I’m not gonna give a big song and dance about the Final . Suffice to say , we won . In extra time .
What I wil say though , is Bally makes Hurst’s second , then Peter’s goal , and if you ever see a recording of the famous , “ They think it’s all over ,.. It is now …" , moment again , check top right of screen , where a scrawny little ginger whippet with his socks around his ankles is bursting along the top of the picture , with his arms out - he was screaming ; “ Play me in !!! “
This , in the final minutes of extra time in a World Cup Final on THAT Wembley turf , famous for sapping energy . He was a phenomenon . Geoff Hurst got a hat-trick . When asked who was man-of-the-match ??? He replied ; Bally . As did Mooro .
Franz Beckenbauer the great German Midfield General had begun the day mentioning Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moo-eeerrr . He ended it saying Bally’s name .
As far as my Arl Fella was concerned , Bally won the World Cup on his own . No shizzzle . I remember when the RS brother-in-law tried to hit him with the Homosexual and Bruges ‘78 ; …..
“ ..Bally won the World Cup on his own , now fuk off an’ shut the door behind you ,..â€
As another personal thing , the day following the Wembley Victory was my third birthday .
Me Ma says I began saying , “ Alan The Ball “ , from that point on .
So , in the wake of his Global exposure , a return to Blackpool , long term was now ridiculous . Nevertheless , he was contracted to them , so , a fortnight after the Greatest Day of his Sporting Life , he returned to Bloomfield Road , whereupon he is directed to the Manager’s Office to be informed ,
“ The Board have accepted 2 bids for you . You choose which . “ He didn’t even get to train .
Prior to leaving for the tournament , with his talent , nor his future much of a secret , Bally had been actively courted by Leeds’ Manager , Don Revie . Indeed , he actually sent him a sweetener . An envelope full of readies . Around �500 . Wholly unethical , and utterly illegal . Nevertheless , he kept it , never spent any , but was unsure what to do . Send it back ? What would that say about him ?
Anyway , he left for The Championships and put it to the back of his mind .
So , he calls his Dad , says , “ There’s 2 Clubs in , Everton and Leeds . Which one to chose ,..??? “
“ .. You’ll make the right choice , Son . As long as you know that you are staying in Lancashire ,…â€
G.O.T. L.C.A.B. Raises Large Tumbler to Old Man Ball ,…
Incidentally , in an attempt to further convey my Fatima Experience of this man , that it WAS MEANT TO BE , get on this ;
“ We knew all about Everton . We used to go to Goodison to watch their mid-week games if I wasn’t involved with Blackpool ,…â€
Telling his Da’ about the envelope , he WAS NOT pleased . He wouldn’t be , no .
However , Senior comes out with ;
“ Son , on Merseyside they are hardworking people , honest people , and they don’t like people trying to kid them . If you give 100% every time you play , even if you have a tough time , then they’ll take to you …â€
“ Is it that easy , Dad ??? “
“ Yes . “
Harry Catterick , having taken over the Goodison Helm just prior to the turn of the decade , was in the process of creating his second great side . The past 6 years had seen Kay , Collins , Gabriel , Young , Vernon , a Championship and an F.A. Cup . Yet he foresaw a different Everton . Those sides were magnificent in themselves , but the project he was about to begin was the Religious Experience of his Career . Bally was the Keystone purchase .
His reception into , let’s be honest , this dressing room of winners themselves , as Mr . See Me ??? I’m BOSS , Mk #1 , breezed in , was certainly not ,met with open-arms . He had to earn it . It was the old days .
Once more , his Arl Fella ;
“ .. Don’t worry , they’ll soon like you when you’ve got them a couple of win bonuses ,…â€
Oracular , btw .
Bally made his Everton debut at Craven Cottage , on August 20 , 1966 . Typical Alan James Ball Jnr. He scores the only goal and clinches the win . The fans get in the players carriage on the train home and Bally is a big hit . One of them walked up to him at Lime Street …
“ Alan Ball . You have been sent by God to Everton , to score goals just like that one …â€
Two weeks later he was to meet the RS for the first time - he’d missed the recent Charity Shield defeat by two days .
He scored his first after 6 minutes and got 2 in the first 20 as we grab a 3-1 win . There is a picture - and yous know I don’t do pics ; on my Profile page . It shows his jump for joy as he scores the first . Knees raised , Foetus Jump . However , in the foreground is the Flying Pig , Yeats , and Strong , I think . The THING , is the look on their kipper’s ,.. “ Who THE FUK is THIS ..??? “
The old Goodison Road rises as one , and the kid is off . It was to be ride for which no-one to my knowledge ever booed nor asked for a refund .
The Golden Vision , a Goodison Hero , Par Excellence , said he saw the Gwladys Street going mental and singing ; Alan Baaaaaaaaallll , Alan Baaaaaaaaaallll , from the T.V. show Cannonball .
“ Even then , we knew he’d found his spiritual home . “
The season continued and after a stuttering start , they began to bed down . The media and others had portrayed it as The Golden Vision Versus Bally , when in fact , Alex Young was perhaps Bally’s Greatest friend at Goodison , and quality that they were , they soon dovetailed . The first such occasion was a corker of a game at The Old Lady ; Everton 5 West Brom 4 , on September 17 . Bally got 2 , Young 1 . They were away . Their European adventure ended in defeat in round 4 , after a proper scare against Danish no-hopers , Aalborg , before conceding two goals in Zaragoza , Spain , they could pull back only one at home . Nevertheless , Curly had 10 goals by Christmas .
Everton were drawn against Liverpool in the F.A. Cup 4th round , and this being the ‘60’s , with BOTH sides Naughty , and you could have sold out Wembley twice over . As it was , both Club’s saw the public appetite , and The RS agreed to put up a screen at Grey Skull , for those disappointed .
A murderous Merseyside winter’s night saw a record British aggregate attendance record set with 62,000 inside the Old Lady , and another 43,000 at The Lido .the usual train-crash tackles and helter skelter . The sides were seperated by a corker from a little curly haired fella .
As a poem , me Da’ gave me as a kid , but I cannot for the life of me find , but can recall from notes ,..
“ …An’ a swift cross from Husband with great force was met , by the boots of young Ball to the back of the net …“
It was the night the Everton fans first unveiled , What’s our name ??? Cassius Clay had recently converted to Islam , but his next opponent Ernie Terrell persisted in calling him Clay . Thus , during the inevitable Ass-Whooping , Ali was heard to call ; “ What’s my name ??? What’s my name ..??? “After the ‘66 Photo Op’ we sorta DID Ali . Thus , a legend was born .
Also , they reckon that Tarby was on his way out of The Deep End when some Blue tapped him on the shoulder - after watching the Telecast ….
“ Don’t worry , lad . It’s only a film ….â€
There were memorable games , Sheffield United were coated 4-1 , West Ham , with Mooro , 4-0 , and Newcastle 3-0 . A poor March saw any realistic Title challenge evaporate , having been knocked out of the Cup by Nottingham Forest and Storey-Moore late on . It was a disappointing campaign , and not quite the finished article . Catterick’s response was to swoop for Preston Youngster , Howard Kendall
Bally played all 42 League games and scored 16 goals , as the team finished 6th .
In the summer of 1967 , Alan Ball Jnr. Married his one-and-only love , Lesley , in May . They were to be soul-mates until her passing of Breast Cancer in May 2001 .
1967/68 was the year it all began to fall into place .
This year also saw , The Immaculate Conception that was The Holy Trinity .
I’m going to leave the description of their collective talents , once more to Alex Young ; ..
“ It was easy to share the spotlight with the members of The Holy Trinity . After all , it is only once in a generation that the Gods of Football provide the ideal formula for the Beautiful game . In the late ‘60’s we recognised that Goodison Park had been duly Blessed - with presence of Harvey , Kendall and Ball . It is rare that such talents come together at the same time at the same club . Respected players in their own right , in an era of outstanding Footballers , their union represented the most stylish midfield unit ever fielded by a British Club . I’ve seen hundreds of combinations , both sides of The Border and can confirm that their repertoire of skills and telepathic understanding was beyond belief . Their blend of vision , technique , guile and industry , thrilled all football purists , with breath-taking displays of the beautiful game . Such tributes may seem like Hyperbole , and the three Englishmen may sound like Fantasy Footballers, but the fans who witnessed them in the late ’60’s can confirm that , The Holy Trinity “ was a Revelation ,..
They were as different as , Strawberry Jam , Marmalade and Marmite , but when dressed in the Royal Blue they shared impeccable ball control , powerful engines , infectious enthusiasm , immense courage and a desire to battle for one another . Understandably we sought to capitalise on their extra-ordinary abilities and would constantly play through midfield - much to the delight of the fans …â€
Amen , Brother Vision , lid .
The Goodison faithful greeted the trio like a genuine , Blessing From Above . The opening day saw Champions Manchester United visit the Old Lady .
Strangely , Catterick had relaxed his , No Cameras , rule . 60,000 in the ground , they destroyed the Mancs , 3-1 . Bally got 2 , Young 1 . Then a draw and two losses before another blistering Goodison rout of Wolves , bet that tasted sweet to Curly , a win over West Ham . It was getting there , and en route the masses were in rapture . Bristol City were wellied 5 , before another 2 defeats , Leeds and the RS . Two more wins , a defeat . Like that ,…
It was Evolution not Revolution , but in truth , the Punters were more than happy . The average age of the side was falling but its skill , endeavour , team-spirit , all that good shizzzzllle , was on the up . Thus , Patience , Children ,..
Two Christmas victories in three days restored confidence for a Cup run .
This season also saw me have my first ever Goodison visit , after follwing me Da’ around the house , FOR WEEKS , saying …†Please Dad ,..Please Dad , Please Dad , Please Dad ,..†Ad nausea , he finally relented as we drew Tranmere in the Cup . We won 2-0 , with goals from Morrisey and Royle . However , Bally wasn’t playing and me Arl Fella blagged me that he would come on near the end . ( He wouldn’t . )
I had a cob on , but in all , loved it . Wanted more , please .
That year , we were to play West Brom’ on three occasions . The first , was a 2-1 home victory . The second , was the return fixture in March of 1968 . I mention this game , not merely due to its later significance , but also that my Arl Fella went . Moreover , after falling in the house at all hours , prepared to wake up his four and a half year old son at 1/2am to tell him about Bally’s four goals in a 2-6 victory .
In detail . I can recall me Mother screeching , “ Are you f**n sure ??? He’s 4 !!! “ Or some shizzzle .
I swear I remember this night . I also class it as my first REAL night as an Evertonian .
I WAS IN !!!
Thus , the day dawns , after defeating Revie’s - and his brown envelope ; Leeds at Old Trafford in the Semi , that we are to face West Brom’ at Wembley .
Me Ma had made Massive Rosettes - They did in those days ; mine had ,.. Well have Sweepstake to see who mine was .
So , the moment of departure . I’m like , “ Tara then Mum ,..†“ No , lad . Not you ,..â€
Talk about cob-on ..???
The game was SUPPOSED to be the biggest walk-over since the RS met Wimbledon - before , actually , but stay with me here . We had the Holy Trinity , Labby , The Golden Vision , Big Joe … Riches ..
Yet , the game was decided by a swing of Jeff Astle’s bad foot and Bally would miss out on his nearest chance of getting hold of the F.A. Cup .
Alan Ball’s second season at Everton ended with 5th place in the League , and Europe , in 34 games he scored 20 goals .
Thing was , everyone was gutted , sure , but they also knew , a little like the Milk Cup loss in 1984 , I would imagine , that , “ It was only a matter of time . “
Thus , as the new campaign of 1968/69 began , optimism remained in the Goodison air .
One major event at this time , was the departure of Alex Young , to Glentoran . For all the plaudits lavished upon Catterick for the Trophies and the sides generally , his , Victorian Dad , methodology and everyday climate of fear environment , cost us as much as it gained us , I would suggest . Moreover his treatment of his players will keep for his Sermon , but his handling of both Bally and The Golden Vision was little more than disgraceful . Thus , Alex Young , among the 5 favourite EVER footballers seen in an Everton shirt departed this parish .
Also , I saw my first Goodison August .
The first two games fell badly for me . Manchester United again , first up . This time at Old Trafford . 2-1 , Bally ; defeat . A three-nil win over Burnley at home , was missed due to being a night game - Bally scored the first . A home defeat against Tottenham did not douse any fires , thus west Ham came on Easter Monday , and were coated 4-1 , Bally , Colin Harvey , Husband and Royle scored . My first live goal .
The Blue of the Shirts and the Stands , The Green of the Pitch , the sounds , smells ,The NOISE !!! …
Oh , aye , boss .
Put me down for a Box ,..
I used to watch him , because to me , he WAS Everton . I liked Colin Harvey . A lot , but he couldn’t hold a candle to Bally for me . No-one could . As I say , I’d watch him , but I would literally watch him run off the ball with the game going on , sometimes a goal would result . I weren’t arsed . I used to think that there was only me and him there , and I was kinda watching this Kaleido-Scope Cinema thing …
Well , it WAS the ‘60’s , Dawg …
Honestly , though , the way he would glide , with the almost base-natural fluidity of a dolphin , change direction , all the while at 90 mph and all the while with the ball under perfect , precise control . No wonder I was gob smacked .
Both derbies were early , played before Christmas , a 0-0 , and a 1-1 and Bally’s only Anfield goal . Revenge was taken over West Brom’ 4-0 , Bally got another hat-trick . Man City and then Southampton caned . November saw three wins , the last two , 4-0 and 7-1 . We were amazing .
From Boxing Day , the results read thus ;
3-1 ; 2-2 ; 2-0 ; 4-0 ; 1-0 ; 1-0 ; 1-0 ; 1-1 ; 0-0 ; 0-1 . Unfortunately , that last result was the F.A. Cup Semi Final against the side who went on to lift the Trophy for the second year running . Bally missed the game .
We go on to finish third , but 10 points adrift of Revie’s Leeds . Bally as not pleased . Thre draws and a defeat in their final 5 games saw it slip anyway . Nevertheless , everybody knew , these were yet fledglings , but they were blossoming all over the park .
One other Bally story ; The Watch One . I think it was this season , I THOUGHT it was West Brom’ , apparently not . We are going for the League . It is late in the game . Very late , but we cannot break them down . We get a corner , Gwlady / Bullens Road side . Bally walks over to take it . As he does , he looks to the Street End , lifts up his wrist , as if checking his watch and shakes his head . He approaches the corner flag , leans with his elbow on its tip and wipes his nose with the flag .
He takes the corner . Ball is cleared to corner of box . He intercepts , crosses , from which results winning goal . The place goes bananas . He turns around and goes crackers with the Gwladys Street .
I remember talking to Me Da’ in the night . Re-running it . I remember him saying ;
“ ., If he wanted , he could have ran up the heads all the way to the roof . They’d have carried him ,..â€
This was what this man was about . He was MUSTARD and he LOVED us like Timmy and Big Man’s Love-Child .
God was in his Heaven and all was good with the World .
He completed his third season as a Toffee , the team in 3rd place , and himself 40 games and 16 goals .
For the less mathematically gifted amongst the Congregation , that is 51 goals in his first three seasons . From midfield .
Then came 1969/70 ….
For students of Evertonia of a certain vintage it is this , and not the mid-’80’s side , which was the Greatest ever Post-War Everton team . The reason; 3 words ; The Holy Trinity . This was the year that made the World sit up and take notice .
It began with 4 wins . 2 at home , two away . Bally scored in two games . Bang-Bang . A draw , another 2 home wins . So it went . The only , pre- Xmas fly in the ointment was serverely back-down-to-Earth-with-a-bump home beating of the Lucifers , 0-3 .Not nice . Nevertheless , Onwards Evertonians …
However , two defeats over New Year , one a Cup exit at Sheff’ United ; Bally scored ours in a 1-2 defeat , and an anomaly at Southampton in January , we did not lose a game for the rest of the campaign . We literally steam-rollered teams with skill , pace , commitment , endeavour , desire ,.. The Holy Trinity have had some wonderfully descriptive adjectives applied to their union , mine would be Telepathic . As they appeared to do this **** instinctively , and JUST KNOW stuff ,..
We went on to romp the League title , as runaway Champions . Labby , injured and absent Bally collected the Trophy against West Brom’ , said it was the “ Only 3 man team to win the Championship . “
Yes , the focus was on the genius , but Husband , Whittle , Wright , and the Trinity with Youth . Westy , Labby , Moggsy , Sandy Brown , the old heads . It really was the perfect mixture , and was rightly termed , The School of Science for time immemorial .
Thus , the season ended early as England , as holders , prepared to go to Mexico .Everton as Champions , sent 4 players , as they did the next time the Central Americans hosted the Competition . However , Kendall and Harvey weren’t among them .
Bally of course , was . Moreover , he was now England’s , Go-To -Man , inheriting Bobby Charlton’s mantle with him still in the side .
As it was , the trip was a nightmare . The Pre-Tournament stay in Columbia went Postal , as Bobby Moore was accused of theft of a bracelet , arrested and incarcerated . It was a stitch-up designed to spook them . Furthermore , in the days leading up to the Germany Quarter Final , Gordon Banks picks up food poisoning and misses the game . England take a 2 goal lead , in the heat of Guadalajara . Ramsey going all tactical . Takes off both Bally and Bobby Charlton to rest them for the semi . However , Beckenbauer no longer needs to man mark Charlton and runs riot . With Bonetti having a Mare - alongside Labby at Centre Half , incidentally , West Germany come back to win 3-2 , and that was that .
We were gutted . He was devastated .
Thus , the new decade begins , as far as football was concerned , with us in our rightful place as Champions .
For whatever eason , and no-body has ever , truly explained it , 1970/71 was not as , up-and-up , as the previous four had been incremental Bossness . There was something missing …
Catterick blamed World Cup tiredness , he meant Bally . There were highlights , our First European Cup Campaign in nearly a decade began with a trip to Iceland and Keflavik . They were demolished 9-2 on aggregate as Alan James Ball Jnr. Becomes the first Everton player to score a hat-trick in the European
Cup . Still , the league still wasn’t coming together . We were winning but also losing , heavily .Coventry , a 0-4 hiding off The Arse’ ,0-3 to West Brom’ , and a 2-3 beating at the RS after leading 2-0 at half time .
Still , 3rd round of the European Cup , as we faced Borussia Moncheongladbach of Germany .. 0-0 away and back to Goodison . 1-1 .
Now , this is my personal favourite ever game at the Old Lady , because , it was Bally , we were Champions it was my first night game , my first European game , the first time a European Tie went to Penalties , and the LAST time an English team , any English team beat a German side on penalties . My Hero slotted his nonchalontly with his socks rolled down . We went crackers , and I think I left the ground at 10.40 pm ,…
I was in for the duration after this one like .
The next round it was Panathaniakos of Greece - Dirty , is what we thought . We were correct , but fair
play , they came and got a 1-1 as our inexperience in tournament football showed . No matter …
A win , and 2 more league defeats preceded the return European tie .
In the lead up to the game , Harry Catterick was asked how much was Alan Ball worth ..???
“ A Million Pounds …†He replied .
The game in Greece was everything you’d expect . Diving , spiting , that ****e . Furthermore , we were denied a certain penalty as we went out on away goals . W e were devastated as they went on to face Johann Cryuff and Ajax in the Final , and the Referee was later investigated for accepting bribes .
Three days later we faced the RS at Old Trafford in the F.A. Cup Semi Final .
In retrospect , this was to be last great stage , the last hurrah for this team . We take a 1-0 first half lead as Curly rifles one into the Stretford End top corner and are laffin’ . No danger . Then , just before half time , Labby goes off - which I had never seen him do before , just before half time .
After that it was the Alamo . Sandy Brown wasn’t Labby , with the greatest of respect , and 2 no marks , called Evans and Hall knocked us out and took the RS to Wembley .
To say Bally was gutted is to say I’m not crazy about the Bealzebubs .
From the remaining games we had one win , 2 draws and six losses , as we slid to 15th place . We asked , can e have our team back , please ??? Bally played 39 games but scored only 2 league goals , 7 in all , as the focus of Catterick’s subdued anger began to surface and the side ended 15th .
The following season began with rumours in the press that Alan Ball wished to eave Everton . They were denied by both parties and we carried on . The season began badly , a draw and two losses Crystal Palace , Coventry , Leeds Spurs .,…We did have a 1-0 home win over the RS , my last until Kingy , and the week after demolished Southampton 8-0 , in the “ New Scoreboard Game “ , 9 , 9 , 9 , 8 , 9 , 8 , 7 , 8 …on November 20th . It would be his final goals for Everton . The next four games saw tewo draws and 2 defeats , the last of which at Derby County on December 18 , 1971 .
Four days later , it is my Mother’s Birthday , and as usual , me Arl Fella is at work . Barbara is ironing , I’m pottering . I’m 8 and a half , and am waiting on a Purple Chopper a pair of white Hummels and an amber away kit , #8 . Suddenly on the radio news comes an abnnouncement ; “ Everton have agreed to sell Alan Ball to Arsenal for �220,000 . A British Record Transfer Fee , the second time the player has achieved such a feat ,…â€
Me and me Mum just looked at each other and said , “ You wha’ ??? “
Finally ,it began to sink in , and I kid you not , 8 years old , I took 2 new pence off Me Ma and went to the local phone box and called the Club . I actually got through to Catterick’s Secretary ; you could then , and gave her , on his behalf , a piece of my mind . I swear on my Grandchildren that this is true . My Dear Mother will vouch for me . Devastated didn’t even come close .
I’ve never told anyone this apart from Me Dad , and the other day , Barbara . I went to bed that night thinking , “ Supporting Arsenal’s not THAT bad ,..†I swear that , too . Me Arl Fella , seeing my devastation at the effective , Non-Christmas in our house , just said , “ O.K. But I tell you what , leave it until after Christmas . If you still feel the same , fair enough . “ I got over it , of course . The POINT , however , was how this man whom CRIED upon being told HE HAD TO LEAVE Everton , the effect this Giant in a Midget’s body had on us . He really did matter THAT much .
He played 208 appearances for the Toffees , scoring an amazing 66 goals , ALL FROM MIDFIELD . His influence however spread far , far wider than mere statistics .
While we would stumble through the seventies with a good side but wholly lacking the class of a decade earlier . The reason ??? Bally’s absence . Again , his Monumental effect over all things St. Domingo for a whole generation , two generations of heads .
Anyway , he goes to Arsenal , having won the double the previous season , and reaches the Cup Final , in his freshman year . He also is on crutches for the Goodison game and comes in via the Park End Disabled entrance and sits with his Arl Mate , Sid McGuiness , the Groundsman , in the Paddock . I sat in the Bullens Road looking at his head while the game went on around me . I cared not . My Hero was back . Many , many others felt the same .
In truth , his time at Arsenal did not enhance his career . He was still BOSS , but the side deteriorated around him . We were to see the best of Bally . Not Arsenal . They lost the final to Leeds , and in 1974 , Bally was made Gunners Captain .
One game sticks out though , Edge’s visit to the Water-Wingers as Bally got 2 at the Kop End . Hahaha . Bravo , all .
He would play 177 games for the Highbury reds , scoring 45 goals .
He left in December 1976 , to join Lawrie McMenemy’s , Southampton . He had a ball , Channon , the Horses ,…One thing from that period , it is 1978 , L.C.A.B. is Schoolboy footy player and season ticket holder . Arl Fella now just the Bullens bit . It is the fledgling days of Corporate Hospitality , but while me Da liked a free bevvy like the next fella , he was a Union Rep‘ for a Brewery . He got them anyway . All Day …
Anyway , he says , I’m in the Players Part . Do you want to come ?
“ No , ta . I’ll go with me mates . " It was only when the game started and I saw Bally , revered by the crowd , even then , that the penny dropped .
Me Da’ comes home with a book full of autographs which I still have somewhere , amongst them ,
“ To David . All the very best . Alan Ball “ .
We both sat like kids staring at it . Fukd up eh ???
His playing career meandered on via Philadelphia , Vancouver , back to Blackpool , back to Southampton , Bristol Rovers . He would ultimately play 975 games in the football league . You’d have thought they’d have given him the other 25 for services rendered .
Unsurprisingly , he went into Management . I am not going to focus on this aspect of his life , suffice to say , he gave as much effort and endeavour into that as he ever did as a player . His problem was having to work with individuals who could never come close to matching his work ethic , thought process or ability .
He did however , have some good times , as with Channon and my , now radio mucka , Quinny in taking Portsmouth to the First division . He was also Manchester City boss though took them down and did not survive . He managed Southampton with Le Tissier , giving him the Captaincy , seeing a kindred spirit , but in all , it was not the success it should have been and after Exeter City where , at least he was able to take the field with his boy , Jimmy , he slipped out of the game .
One thing , I always thought both Kendall and Harvey , " Let the Side Down ", in not at least offering him a role with the kids when we ROCKED . He would have walked here to do it .
In the late 1990’s Alan’s wife Lesley became increasingly ill . She was diagnosed with breast cancer . She would battle the disease until finally succumbing in 2001 . His daughter , Keely then also developed the condition , but thankfully recovered .
In the Milllenium Honours List , Bally and the remainder of the squad of 1966 received an M.B.E . He was delighted that his Wife was able to accompany him to the Palace with the Grandkids .
In 2005 , he decided , given you can’t split medals into 8 , to sell his World Cup and League Championship medals . He made a nice sum , and with it made provision for his 3 kids , Lesley , Keely and Jimmy and their families . He also went to the ill-fated Ashes in Australia ‘06 .
Before the end of the 2006 season , Labby passed away .
I attended his Funeral . On the way out , I look around and there is Bally , not 5 yards from me , but surrounded by Blues . I was gonna speak , but thought , sack it . He’s chokka .
On the way home though , I begin to think of many of the incidents I have described here , and by the time I got home I was gutted . Told me Ma and Me Nanna .
A week later , me Arl Girl walks in with a piece of paper . It says , ...
Alan Ball . C/o BBC Radio Solent , Southampton , S.O….
†Write him a letter . “ She says .
“ Know what ??? “ I says . “ I will . “
I did , sent it and basically forgot about it .
I saw him on the World Cup in Germany , and thought , “ I wonder if he ever got that ,,..??? “
About two months later , I’m in minding me Nan . Tuesday afternoon . The phone goes , about 2 o’clock .
“ Hello ??? “
“ David ??? Alan Ball…â€
“ Yeah . Fukn Alan Ball . Stop taking the…â€
“ David …â€
“ …OH MY GOD !!! …â€
That , is basically how the conversation went . My hero spent about 20 minutes on the phone , just talking Everton , the old days , how someone my age remembered him - BTW !!! Fantastic . My finest 20 mins , half an hour as an Evertonian . On my life .
Anyway , he says “ How’s your Nan ??? I must have mentioned her .
“ She’s O.K. Alan . Mad Evertonian herself , btw …â€
“ Aren’t we all , Son . Is she there ??? Put her on …â€
I says to me Nan ..
“ D’yar ,..†Handing phone .
“ Who is it ??? “ “ Alan Ball . “
“ Alan Ball ??? MY Alan Ball ,….??? †And I passed her over to our Hero .
Before he hung up , me being me , I says “ Alan , is there any chance of sending you some stuff , as I’ll never get this chance again ??? “
He replies .
“ Send a Van load if you want Son ..†And proceeds to give me his telephone number and address .
Bally , btw ,…
When I send the stuff I mention it’s a bit rough around here so can I put in the dough for recorded delivery . “ Not a problem ..†I duly sends off HUGE box , telling all me mates , I’ve got Bally’s address - would NEVER give it to anyone , like .
A month or so later , Me Aunty rings me , and says , “ Eh … Alan Ball has just rang our house asking do I know you and can he send a box of stuff here..??? “
What he’d done , my Aunty had got me the England Shirts on her card . Thus when they arrived , I just threw them in the box . He sees them , used to live in Formby himself , goes to Radio Station , obtains ex-directory number and , the rest you know .
Furthermore , he sends the box back , I open it . There is the dough in the envelope unopened .
I went to Interflora , Breck Road , and sent Lesley a Bouquet , saying , “ In eternal gratitude for your Dad being MY HERO …â€
We sent each other Christmas Cards and I would have sent a birthday card if he had lived .
As luck would have it , I had been ill at the end of April - I was still undiagnosed at this point .
On the night of April 25th , 2007 , I like Bally and many millions watched Man’ Utd destroy A.C Milan . Scholes was awesome . A little ginger running the show . Where have I heard that ..???
Anyway , lighting a fire to burn garden waste , it spread to a fence and in attempting to put it out , Alan suffered a Heart Attack and died . Ironic really , when we always considered his Heart to be at least as big as himself .
On the Saturday , I truly couldn’t get off the bed . I thus sat sobbing as I missed not only my first game in donkey’s years , but also HIS day .
I thus determined to present myself at the South West for his Funeral . I set off for Winchester Cathedral , at 5.55 am , with T.V. AM saying , PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND . We are expecting 10,000 people . I didn’t care .
I gets off at Stafford , as I’m messing with the bags , these two fellas come up .
" All right , mate ??? You going to Winchester ... ???" " I am , yes . " " Do you mind if we interview you ??? " " No . "
I thus met Paddy from the Echo and Mike Storey from The Post .As we’re going down , I’m telling them my story . By the time we arrived , they said , “ Listen . You’re boss . We’re gonna say you’re a Journalist and I’ll get you a Press pass …†Outstanding , I think .
So , I’m outside the Police Corden , waiting for them . Next thing , Copper disappears , so I just moseys on through this gate . Around me , are people in formal wear . I am ill and have on a bright yellow Everton shirt from Bally . Next thing this woman walks directly to me .
“ Are you from Everton Football Club ??? “ I started laughing .
“ No , darling . I AM , from Liverpool , but I don’t represent the Club . “
“ Have you got a ticket ??? OK , ON TOP …â€
“ In truth , my love , no . “
“ Do you want one ??? The family have asked us to go outside and find any blues and bring them in and put them at the front . “ I started juicing when she left . Me Arl Fella , Me Nan and Grandad AND Bally ALL helped me that day . I sat 20 feet from the Family .
Outside I met all kinds . The World Cup Squad , Sir Alex' , Celtic Manager Gordon Strachan , Theo Walcott and his Dad - Lovely people , and Denis Law .
I says , “ Lawman , Me Granddad Tim worshipped you .â€
“ You’re too young to remember me , Son . As he comes closer , he sees the shirt .
“ Have you come 200 miles for Bally ??? “
“ I’d have come 2,000 miles Lawman .â€
“ You’re a legend , Son . You’re family should be proud of you …†I kid you not .
Anyway , .. So that’s me Bally story . Me life , really .
I KNOW its mega , I KNOW I go on , but me POINT , was showing , particularly the young’uns , if you ever are searching for role-models for yourself or your children , as Evertonians or simply people , you will go an awful long way before you find a better one than Bally . This man was an outsider by birth but loved us for who we were to the end of his days . He , whom could stand with Champions . I’ve got a signed picture in my living room of him swapping pennants with Gunther Netzer , pre-Monchengladbach . He is SO PLEASED to be Everton Captain . Honest . Its awesome .
I’m going to forego the usual conclusion , as its already far too long . Bally was called Perpetual Motion . He was , but it was the gliding , the almost Heavenly Grace , that stayed with me . That , his drive , bottle , eye for goal , pace , tackling , his utter love for Everton and Evertonians , and most of all , HIS HEART . OF A LION . He is the Greatest thing I have ever seen in a Blue Jersey , and the reason I am the Blue I am today .. End of .
I miss him on every level .
I will leave you with two quotes .
The first , a kid at Lime Street sees him .
“ Alan . Can I have your autograph ??? “
“ Yis . “ He notices neither have pen nor paper .
“ It’s OK ,..†says the kid “ Spit on me hand . You’re Alan Ball !!! “
The other , upon his time at Goodison . ..
“ They say , “ No-one is bigger than the Club . " But you came very close …â€
Therefore , this Yuletide , thank the Almighty for his divine grace in providing , Alan James Ball Jnr . The Greatest of Them All .
Amen .
May the Good Lord be with you all this Christmas .
Remember , Jesus loves you ‘cause you’re a blue .
Look after your Peoples .
Peace out .
The ( Catholic ) Reverand L.C.A.B
Written in Britain .
" ... I know my Peoples hearing me ... Hollah if y'all need me .... Word ....."
Stay safe , Peoples . THAT , is a Goddamned ORDER !!!
This is for you , lads / girls , and LCABabe ,... Thank you for saving this today , My Hotty .
May the Good Lord be with you all at this time of festivities , fun and family .
Welcome all to our little corner of the holidays .
For me , personally , trying to attempt to put into words what the effect and influence the focus of today’s lesson has had , and continues to exert , now 40 years later , upon the standards I set for myself , for the Team , The Club , my “ Firm “, my general , “ Evertonian-ness “ , and how my family regard me , is like beginning a Walking World Tour , with nothing but a pair of Green Flash and a bottle of water . Futile .
The term , “ Great “ , is bandied about in modern society far too often . In the case of the Gentlemen I am about to highlight , it is an understatement .
HE is the reason , my family aside , that I am the Blue I am today .
His restricted height only served to indicate to all his inner force , I was going to say drive , but drive is what normal humans have . This man , whatever he was , normal , was not amongst them . He was Lancashire , Northern , English and Evertonian , in reverse order . He was a winner for his whole career , while his opposition hated but ALWAYS respected him . He was to enjoy one of the finest careers of an English Footballer there has ever been , and thankfully , the Almighty deemed us worthy observers .
He is also , discounting my family , my favourite person to ever walk God’s Good Earth .
To try and convey even a smidgen of the effect that the focus of today , had , and still has in the way I , personally was raised and matured in supporting Everton on a long-term basis , I need to briefly focus inwards .
In being one so generally , DOWN , in all things - I kid you not , btw .. ; it is a contradiction , even to me , of my character that I can also be SO , Old Skool . Like , Victorian **** . Honestly .
Anyway , Everton Football Club , what it MEANS to be a PROPER Evertonian , is one of those areas that I am , and shall proudly remain , utterly Old Skool . I believe standards apply BOTH WAYS . We do NOT embarrass them , they do NOT embarrass us . Its how I was raised . All my Role-Models , Family wise , with the exception of Barbara , were active , match-going , mad-arse Blues . Long-Term . From a baby .
I was attending games regularly from 5 years onwards . I still go today . So do ALL me mates , me kids , me Sister’s kids , …
FUK , I’ve got nephews from Newcastle who are me ex-birds fambo , strictly speaking who have grown up raw arse Blues and are now tattooed - up , match attending Lifer’s-To-Be.
They see it . They GET it .
Q.E.D.
The POINT is , what it is to be a child of Goodison , at its very finest , is genuinely Spiritual . Thing is see , we class ourselves as different , or least we used to .. Better .We were classy .
Well , for me , my standards , my mores , when I shout to encourage or when to shut the fuk up as not to be destructive rather than constructive , yet also what it was to have the blas� confidence of the truly gifted , for years , were ALL as a DIRECT consequence of mine and my family’s exposure to the phenomenon that is the subject of today’s lesson .
When I say this man was Legend , I mean , he was the very best of us .
Us , the very best .
Ladies and Gentlemen , may I express my extreme pleasure in introducing , The One and ONLY , Alan James Ball , Jnr .
Bally , as we , whom would love him forever would term him , was brought into the World , in the Lancashire Village of Farnsworth , near Bolton , Lancashire , England , on May 12 , 1945 , as the Second World War finally ran itself out of breath . Austerity was everywhere . Everyone was skint , but tough as a Mufuka and PROUD .
Nevertheless , flame red-haired and freckles for EVERYONE , young Alan soon showed his talents with a football . He Arl Fella used to say , he knew he’d become a pro , just after the boy’s 4th birthday . I can quite believe it , like . See , Bally’s Da’ himself was a gifted Coach , later to manage at Professional level , but at this point a Joiner by day , whom was learning his trade in the , Right up in your face - even then , atmosphere of the Lancashire Combination League . Read Dixie , you’ll see . I know , me own Da’ played in it too , an’ told me .
So , move on until teenage years … Something that always gets missed with The Ball of Fire , is his brains . When anyone thinks “ Clever “ , of that time , Big Joe springs to mind . Fair enough . However , Alan Ball , like Mr. Royle , also attended Grammar School , a BIG deal in those days incidentally , for a working class kid . Thing was though , his football skills were already far outstripping both his peers’ and also his own intellect . There was a problem , however . He was 5ft 3’ , at that time .Moreover , he was to get into problems with his Headmaster as he was off playing football . His Arl Fella , of course , was having none of it . Quite right , too , incidentally . He knew more than anyone , and the educated eye that he had was immoveable in his belief that his Boy was the goods .
The REAL , HEAVY **** , Bomb-Bomb-Biggy , Goods .
However , he was Old Skool tough with it . Homework ; EVERY night . One hour with the ball . Sun , hail , rain or snow .
I imagine it was a little like , Travis Bickle Teaching Public Carriage Vehicle , courses . INTENSE !!!
Mr. Ball Snr. was driven . No two ways about it , and wasn’t easy on the kid , but primarily encouraged and nurtured . Thus , the lad , instead of rebelling strove ever on for acceptance .
Bally Snr. was also , however , INFORMED ; ..
†..You’ve got to be better than everyone else . Your passing , your control , your technique . It’s all terrific . All those will make up for your lack of size because your heart is big enough .There are seven days in a week , and you have to have six in , one out . Five in and two out , no . Four in and three out and you will never be a player , so don’t even think about going the other way ,..â€
Anyway , in a personal twist , me Arl Fella was taken to Wolves by Joe Mercer , he was injured and had to sack it . I KNOW for certain that he would’ve loved to have been five years younger . As , Bally also went to Wolves . Only on trail , unsuccessful , as it goes … ARE YOU SURE ??? Too small ???
Me Arl Fella would’ve had him all day . He did anyway , from the Bullens Road .
I digress , however , The Greatest of Them All went back to Farnsworth , and , Lo ! His door-step team Bolton finally responded to Mr. Ball Snr’s constant haranguing and , GAVE THE KID A CHANCE . Nevertheless , even though wholly impressed with his ability , they just could not get past the height thing . He was broken . Irrespective , on the return journey , he told his Da’ , his Life-Long Hero , incidentally , .. †It’s O.K. Dad . I’ll play for England by the time I’m 20 ,… “
His Da’ , though , as I noted earlier , was PROUD . They ALL were . So , he goes home , works weekends and late’s and buys young Alan a new pair of boots and says , where next ???
Thank the Good Lord he did . Finally , a contact at Bloomfield Road arranged for the lad to be given a
trial . He tore it up . Of course he did . He’s Bally ! Thing was though , listen to what he says about that time ,..
“ I knew I was going to play for my life . That was my attitude as I stripped to play with these strangers .â€
As a result , he was offered , and of course accepted gratefully , his first Professional Contract in May 1962 .
Within two years , he broke into their first team , making his Full Debut against , believe it or not , FATE , btw ; The RS at Grey Skull , in 1964 . Guess what ? They won 2-1 . Bally , see ?
Anyway , now 5ft 6’ and as tall as he will ever be , he played right wing in a League of renowned hard cases . Leeds United , City , the RS , Arsenal , Spurs . Everyone had a Hard-Case , Morrissey , Sandy Brown , our own ; and MOST had a Hard-Case full back . There’s was a fella called Ronnie Moran . You might have heard of him . Typical of both the zeitgeist and also the Cocky-Arse , Newly Promoted Beelzebub’s , as they are lining up , the soon to be fat , round , one hands Bally a piece of paper with the words , “ Liverpool Infirmary ; Evening Meal ,…â€
Anyway , he took the piss . They won 2-1 , and my mate stuck the first of very many two-fingered gestures to the Water-Wing’ers over the years .
O.K., so , All Systems Go ,.. He , car-less , cadges a lift of a team-mate home and waits for his Da’ to return from Ashton United , The Arl Fella’s then Club .
“ Dad . I was great today . “
“ .. Don’t come here , telling me you’ve Made It after one game .
You can call yourself a player when you have 20 first team games this season , not one game . It’s when you go in , day after day , and the manager and the other players know what to expect of you and that you are a good player . That takes time and experience ..â€
( No **** , I FEEL , like I LIVED with this Man ,…)
I highlight these instances not to make his Da’ out as a hard arse , but rather the formulation , the stoking of the furnace , as that is without doubt what it was , that forged the diamond tough little pocket battleship that turned up at Goodison ,..
More of that later ,…
In playing at Grey Skull , at age 17 years , and 98 days , he became Blackpool’s , of Matthews and Mortensen , youngest ever player . He went to Craven Cottage the day after Kennedy was Assassinated , a lucky ground for him for the next years and bagged a hat-trick soon after . Bally , being Bally though , he is involved in another on-field scrap , and sent off .
He was saying , “ I might be little , but don’t fuk with me , ‘cause I’ll have it . All day , every day ,…â€
However , him as I note , being him , and his 5ft 6’ inch frame but with personal standards somewhere over the Ozone Layer , he is happy with his game , but sometimes feels as if his feet are getting muddled up as he tries to manoeuvre quickly . He goes home , tells his Da’ . Arl Fella says ,
“ Spikes . “ He goes away , trains wearing spikes , thus making him lift his feet higher .
Problem solved without a Sport’s Psychologist in sight .
Another incident from his first campaign ; Blackpool played host to Busby’s Manchester United . Get on this , for Balls of Steel . My Cocky Fukn little mate , goes up to Denis Law , stands next to him and says ,
“ You’re finished . You’re old . Step aside . “ …Next time he received possession , Lawman crunched him , late . They get up killing each other . Both off . 9 game ban for Denis , 7 for Bally . More of Lawman later …
Another corker from me Bally Christmas Quote Cupboard . He takes his Grandda , a Geordie , to Manchester United on a night game ,…..
“ The Family unit was as tight as a clenched fist , liberally sprinkled with humour . …My Mum’s Dad , a Miner , made me laugh every time I spoke to him . As a bit of a treat , with my first Blackpool wages , I took him to Old Trafford to see Manchester United for a night game . Soon the wind was blowing the rain in on us . He removed his flat cap , and folded it into his pocket .
“ Don’t do that Granddad , your head will get cold . “
+“ I’m not sitting watching the Tele after with a wet cap on , Son ,…â€
Another time , he’s at Aresnal . Lesley and the kids are out . He comes home to find the door open and his Granddad and his own Great Dane sitting on the Chesterfield .
“ What are you doing , Granddad ??? “
“ I’m staring this bugger - the dog ; out . Bugger wouldn’t let me in the house until I’d fed him three pounds of lard through the letterbox ,…â€
What I am attempting is to illustrate is the Package . The hard arse desire , working class graft ethos , unshakeable self belief and a willingness , almost beautiful in its innocence , in the manner of striving , every single day to improve at a discipline he had long since mastered . To anyone present , it must have felt like sitting on a Mountain Top as our Lord begat Creation .
Of course , he prospered . Every challenge has was given , he just kept on kicking the arse out of it .
Now , whispers began to be heard about a possible England call . Alf Ramsey was famously noted for his , “ Wing-Less “ Wonders . Antithesis of the System Du Jour , he couldn’t have 2 wide men isolated when not in possession . He wanted to fill holes . Have mobility and more importantly be able to defend . Bally , whom could be used wide or centrally , fitted the bill perfectly
He was taken on a short tour of West Germany , Austria and Yugoslavia in May 1965 . He thought , after being sent off for the Under-23’s - Quelle Fukn Surprise !!!; that he would just be there to observe . However , the day before the Yugo’ game , Alf Ramsey , not a natural conversationalist , says to him ,
“ I think its about time you made your debut for your Country , young man . Don’t you ??? “
“ Too right !!! “ It was 3 days before his 20th birthday .
“ Don’t worry , Dad . I’ll play for England before I’m 20 . …â€
Just on this Tour , the next game Germany , Bally played in the middle with George Eastham of Stoke City .
“ He talked to me all through the game , and I watched his body shape and how he approached the ball or the way he stood as the ball came to him . He was never square , always on the half-cock , so he get his passes off . It was something I gratefully picked up and which became a feature of my game ,….â€
Coaches , ..Children … ; READ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Another factor indicative of the Planets , aligning generally , as regards Curly’s career , was the impending World Cup Championship to be held in England the following year . Ramsey was therefore looking to create a squad to push for the Trophy . Bally’s energy , enthusiasm and positional flexibility made him a favourite tool of the Poshest Working-Class Man EVER .
His , and indeed his Father’s dreams came true when Alan was chosen in both the provisional , pre-tournament squad , and also the squad proper
His Da’ said , “ Now get into the team …â€
Another little ditty , and to show Ramsey as the antithesis of Catterick’s Carrot and Stick approach .
Ramsey ; “ Do you think Bobby Moore can pass a ball ??? “ Bally ; “ Yes . Of course . “
“ Then why do you keep going back to take the ball off him ???
If he can find you 20-25 yards further forward you can hurt the opposition . Here , you just get me frustrated ,..â€
He was saying , they are frightened of you . Do what you do best in the area in which you do it best .
And Mrs. Ball did NOT raise any fools …
The World Cup Championships 1966 , got under way with the hosts , England facing Uruguay of South America . The event was magnificent , the game , so-so . They drew 0-0 . The Media pasted them . . However , young Alan was to suffer heartbreak , as in the wake of the backlash to the non-performance , the kid was dropped for the next game of Mexico . The side went on to win 2-0 , Hunt and Charlton’s famous rocket . Next came France . Still no Bally . Behind the scenes , he was shattered but put it in every day like he was taught .
Prior to the Quarter Final against Argentina , Ramsey came up to him .
“ How are you , young man ??? “ He conveyed his disappointment .
“ I don’t see why you should be disappointed , because you’ve got a job to do tomorrow . Their full back likes to attack . But he won’t be able to attack you ,..â€
He’s BA-A-A-A-A-C-C-C-C-C-K-K-K-K !!!
The Argentina game was more Rollerball than football , but nevertheless , they won . It was the Semi Final , and Ramsey stayed true to the selection . Ginger stays . Bobby Charlton’s brace and a late Eusebio penalty sees the Three Lions march into a World Cup Final , at Wembley .
The kid was literally , FLOATING to training .
I’m not gonna give a big song and dance about the Final . Suffice to say , we won . In extra time .
What I wil say though , is Bally makes Hurst’s second , then Peter’s goal , and if you ever see a recording of the famous , “ They think it’s all over ,.. It is now …" , moment again , check top right of screen , where a scrawny little ginger whippet with his socks around his ankles is bursting along the top of the picture , with his arms out - he was screaming ; “ Play me in !!! “
This , in the final minutes of extra time in a World Cup Final on THAT Wembley turf , famous for sapping energy . He was a phenomenon . Geoff Hurst got a hat-trick . When asked who was man-of-the-match ??? He replied ; Bally . As did Mooro .
Franz Beckenbauer the great German Midfield General had begun the day mentioning Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moo-eeerrr . He ended it saying Bally’s name .
As far as my Arl Fella was concerned , Bally won the World Cup on his own . No shizzzle . I remember when the RS brother-in-law tried to hit him with the Homosexual and Bruges ‘78 ; …..
“ ..Bally won the World Cup on his own , now fuk off an’ shut the door behind you ,..â€
As another personal thing , the day following the Wembley Victory was my third birthday .
Me Ma says I began saying , “ Alan The Ball “ , from that point on .
So , in the wake of his Global exposure , a return to Blackpool , long term was now ridiculous . Nevertheless , he was contracted to them , so , a fortnight after the Greatest Day of his Sporting Life , he returned to Bloomfield Road , whereupon he is directed to the Manager’s Office to be informed ,
“ The Board have accepted 2 bids for you . You choose which . “ He didn’t even get to train .
Prior to leaving for the tournament , with his talent , nor his future much of a secret , Bally had been actively courted by Leeds’ Manager , Don Revie . Indeed , he actually sent him a sweetener . An envelope full of readies . Around �500 . Wholly unethical , and utterly illegal . Nevertheless , he kept it , never spent any , but was unsure what to do . Send it back ? What would that say about him ?
Anyway , he left for The Championships and put it to the back of his mind .
So , he calls his Dad , says , “ There’s 2 Clubs in , Everton and Leeds . Which one to chose ,..??? “
“ .. You’ll make the right choice , Son . As long as you know that you are staying in Lancashire ,…â€
G.O.T. L.C.A.B. Raises Large Tumbler to Old Man Ball ,…
Incidentally , in an attempt to further convey my Fatima Experience of this man , that it WAS MEANT TO BE , get on this ;
“ We knew all about Everton . We used to go to Goodison to watch their mid-week games if I wasn’t involved with Blackpool ,…â€
Telling his Da’ about the envelope , he WAS NOT pleased . He wouldn’t be , no .
However , Senior comes out with ;
“ Son , on Merseyside they are hardworking people , honest people , and they don’t like people trying to kid them . If you give 100% every time you play , even if you have a tough time , then they’ll take to you …â€
“ Is it that easy , Dad ??? “
“ Yes . “
Harry Catterick , having taken over the Goodison Helm just prior to the turn of the decade , was in the process of creating his second great side . The past 6 years had seen Kay , Collins , Gabriel , Young , Vernon , a Championship and an F.A. Cup . Yet he foresaw a different Everton . Those sides were magnificent in themselves , but the project he was about to begin was the Religious Experience of his Career . Bally was the Keystone purchase .
His reception into , let’s be honest , this dressing room of winners themselves , as Mr . See Me ??? I’m BOSS , Mk #1 , breezed in , was certainly not ,met with open-arms . He had to earn it . It was the old days .
Once more , his Arl Fella ;
“ .. Don’t worry , they’ll soon like you when you’ve got them a couple of win bonuses ,…â€
Oracular , btw .
Bally made his Everton debut at Craven Cottage , on August 20 , 1966 . Typical Alan James Ball Jnr. He scores the only goal and clinches the win . The fans get in the players carriage on the train home and Bally is a big hit . One of them walked up to him at Lime Street …
“ Alan Ball . You have been sent by God to Everton , to score goals just like that one …â€
Two weeks later he was to meet the RS for the first time - he’d missed the recent Charity Shield defeat by two days .
He scored his first after 6 minutes and got 2 in the first 20 as we grab a 3-1 win . There is a picture - and yous know I don’t do pics ; on my Profile page . It shows his jump for joy as he scores the first . Knees raised , Foetus Jump . However , in the foreground is the Flying Pig , Yeats , and Strong , I think . The THING , is the look on their kipper’s ,.. “ Who THE FUK is THIS ..??? “
The old Goodison Road rises as one , and the kid is off . It was to be ride for which no-one to my knowledge ever booed nor asked for a refund .
The Golden Vision , a Goodison Hero , Par Excellence , said he saw the Gwladys Street going mental and singing ; Alan Baaaaaaaaallll , Alan Baaaaaaaaaallll , from the T.V. show Cannonball .
“ Even then , we knew he’d found his spiritual home . “
The season continued and after a stuttering start , they began to bed down . The media and others had portrayed it as The Golden Vision Versus Bally , when in fact , Alex Young was perhaps Bally’s Greatest friend at Goodison , and quality that they were , they soon dovetailed . The first such occasion was a corker of a game at The Old Lady ; Everton 5 West Brom 4 , on September 17 . Bally got 2 , Young 1 . They were away . Their European adventure ended in defeat in round 4 , after a proper scare against Danish no-hopers , Aalborg , before conceding two goals in Zaragoza , Spain , they could pull back only one at home . Nevertheless , Curly had 10 goals by Christmas .
Everton were drawn against Liverpool in the F.A. Cup 4th round , and this being the ‘60’s , with BOTH sides Naughty , and you could have sold out Wembley twice over . As it was , both Club’s saw the public appetite , and The RS agreed to put up a screen at Grey Skull , for those disappointed .
A murderous Merseyside winter’s night saw a record British aggregate attendance record set with 62,000 inside the Old Lady , and another 43,000 at The Lido .the usual train-crash tackles and helter skelter . The sides were seperated by a corker from a little curly haired fella .
As a poem , me Da’ gave me as a kid , but I cannot for the life of me find , but can recall from notes ,..
“ …An’ a swift cross from Husband with great force was met , by the boots of young Ball to the back of the net …“
It was the night the Everton fans first unveiled , What’s our name ??? Cassius Clay had recently converted to Islam , but his next opponent Ernie Terrell persisted in calling him Clay . Thus , during the inevitable Ass-Whooping , Ali was heard to call ; “ What’s my name ??? What’s my name ..??? “After the ‘66 Photo Op’ we sorta DID Ali . Thus , a legend was born .
Also , they reckon that Tarby was on his way out of The Deep End when some Blue tapped him on the shoulder - after watching the Telecast ….
“ Don’t worry , lad . It’s only a film ….â€
There were memorable games , Sheffield United were coated 4-1 , West Ham , with Mooro , 4-0 , and Newcastle 3-0 . A poor March saw any realistic Title challenge evaporate , having been knocked out of the Cup by Nottingham Forest and Storey-Moore late on . It was a disappointing campaign , and not quite the finished article . Catterick’s response was to swoop for Preston Youngster , Howard Kendall
Bally played all 42 League games and scored 16 goals , as the team finished 6th .
In the summer of 1967 , Alan Ball Jnr. Married his one-and-only love , Lesley , in May . They were to be soul-mates until her passing of Breast Cancer in May 2001 .
1967/68 was the year it all began to fall into place .
This year also saw , The Immaculate Conception that was The Holy Trinity .
I’m going to leave the description of their collective talents , once more to Alex Young ; ..
“ It was easy to share the spotlight with the members of The Holy Trinity . After all , it is only once in a generation that the Gods of Football provide the ideal formula for the Beautiful game . In the late ‘60’s we recognised that Goodison Park had been duly Blessed - with presence of Harvey , Kendall and Ball . It is rare that such talents come together at the same time at the same club . Respected players in their own right , in an era of outstanding Footballers , their union represented the most stylish midfield unit ever fielded by a British Club . I’ve seen hundreds of combinations , both sides of The Border and can confirm that their repertoire of skills and telepathic understanding was beyond belief . Their blend of vision , technique , guile and industry , thrilled all football purists , with breath-taking displays of the beautiful game . Such tributes may seem like Hyperbole , and the three Englishmen may sound like Fantasy Footballers, but the fans who witnessed them in the late ’60’s can confirm that , The Holy Trinity “ was a Revelation ,..
They were as different as , Strawberry Jam , Marmalade and Marmite , but when dressed in the Royal Blue they shared impeccable ball control , powerful engines , infectious enthusiasm , immense courage and a desire to battle for one another . Understandably we sought to capitalise on their extra-ordinary abilities and would constantly play through midfield - much to the delight of the fans …â€
Amen , Brother Vision , lid .
The Goodison faithful greeted the trio like a genuine , Blessing From Above . The opening day saw Champions Manchester United visit the Old Lady .
Strangely , Catterick had relaxed his , No Cameras , rule . 60,000 in the ground , they destroyed the Mancs , 3-1 . Bally got 2 , Young 1 . Then a draw and two losses before another blistering Goodison rout of Wolves , bet that tasted sweet to Curly , a win over West Ham . It was getting there , and en route the masses were in rapture . Bristol City were wellied 5 , before another 2 defeats , Leeds and the RS . Two more wins , a defeat . Like that ,…
It was Evolution not Revolution , but in truth , the Punters were more than happy . The average age of the side was falling but its skill , endeavour , team-spirit , all that good shizzzzllle , was on the up . Thus , Patience , Children ,..
Two Christmas victories in three days restored confidence for a Cup run .
This season also saw me have my first ever Goodison visit , after follwing me Da’ around the house , FOR WEEKS , saying …†Please Dad ,..Please Dad , Please Dad , Please Dad ,..†Ad nausea , he finally relented as we drew Tranmere in the Cup . We won 2-0 , with goals from Morrisey and Royle . However , Bally wasn’t playing and me Arl Fella blagged me that he would come on near the end . ( He wouldn’t . )
I had a cob on , but in all , loved it . Wanted more , please .
That year , we were to play West Brom’ on three occasions . The first , was a 2-1 home victory . The second , was the return fixture in March of 1968 . I mention this game , not merely due to its later significance , but also that my Arl Fella went . Moreover , after falling in the house at all hours , prepared to wake up his four and a half year old son at 1/2am to tell him about Bally’s four goals in a 2-6 victory .
In detail . I can recall me Mother screeching , “ Are you f**n sure ??? He’s 4 !!! “ Or some shizzzle .
I swear I remember this night . I also class it as my first REAL night as an Evertonian .
I WAS IN !!!
Thus , the day dawns , after defeating Revie’s - and his brown envelope ; Leeds at Old Trafford in the Semi , that we are to face West Brom’ at Wembley .
Me Ma had made Massive Rosettes - They did in those days ; mine had ,.. Well have Sweepstake to see who mine was .
So , the moment of departure . I’m like , “ Tara then Mum ,..†“ No , lad . Not you ,..â€
Talk about cob-on ..???
The game was SUPPOSED to be the biggest walk-over since the RS met Wimbledon - before , actually , but stay with me here . We had the Holy Trinity , Labby , The Golden Vision , Big Joe … Riches ..
Yet , the game was decided by a swing of Jeff Astle’s bad foot and Bally would miss out on his nearest chance of getting hold of the F.A. Cup .
Alan Ball’s second season at Everton ended with 5th place in the League , and Europe , in 34 games he scored 20 goals .
Thing was , everyone was gutted , sure , but they also knew , a little like the Milk Cup loss in 1984 , I would imagine , that , “ It was only a matter of time . “
Thus , as the new campaign of 1968/69 began , optimism remained in the Goodison air .
One major event at this time , was the departure of Alex Young , to Glentoran . For all the plaudits lavished upon Catterick for the Trophies and the sides generally , his , Victorian Dad , methodology and everyday climate of fear environment , cost us as much as it gained us , I would suggest . Moreover his treatment of his players will keep for his Sermon , but his handling of both Bally and The Golden Vision was little more than disgraceful . Thus , Alex Young , among the 5 favourite EVER footballers seen in an Everton shirt departed this parish .
Also , I saw my first Goodison August .
The first two games fell badly for me . Manchester United again , first up . This time at Old Trafford . 2-1 , Bally ; defeat . A three-nil win over Burnley at home , was missed due to being a night game - Bally scored the first . A home defeat against Tottenham did not douse any fires , thus west Ham came on Easter Monday , and were coated 4-1 , Bally , Colin Harvey , Husband and Royle scored . My first live goal .
The Blue of the Shirts and the Stands , The Green of the Pitch , the sounds , smells ,The NOISE !!! …
Oh , aye , boss .
Put me down for a Box ,..
I used to watch him , because to me , he WAS Everton . I liked Colin Harvey . A lot , but he couldn’t hold a candle to Bally for me . No-one could . As I say , I’d watch him , but I would literally watch him run off the ball with the game going on , sometimes a goal would result . I weren’t arsed . I used to think that there was only me and him there , and I was kinda watching this Kaleido-Scope Cinema thing …
Well , it WAS the ‘60’s , Dawg …
Honestly , though , the way he would glide , with the almost base-natural fluidity of a dolphin , change direction , all the while at 90 mph and all the while with the ball under perfect , precise control . No wonder I was gob smacked .
Both derbies were early , played before Christmas , a 0-0 , and a 1-1 and Bally’s only Anfield goal . Revenge was taken over West Brom’ 4-0 , Bally got another hat-trick . Man City and then Southampton caned . November saw three wins , the last two , 4-0 and 7-1 . We were amazing .
From Boxing Day , the results read thus ;
3-1 ; 2-2 ; 2-0 ; 4-0 ; 1-0 ; 1-0 ; 1-0 ; 1-1 ; 0-0 ; 0-1 . Unfortunately , that last result was the F.A. Cup Semi Final against the side who went on to lift the Trophy for the second year running . Bally missed the game .
We go on to finish third , but 10 points adrift of Revie’s Leeds . Bally as not pleased . Thre draws and a defeat in their final 5 games saw it slip anyway . Nevertheless , everybody knew , these were yet fledglings , but they were blossoming all over the park .
One other Bally story ; The Watch One . I think it was this season , I THOUGHT it was West Brom’ , apparently not . We are going for the League . It is late in the game . Very late , but we cannot break them down . We get a corner , Gwlady / Bullens Road side . Bally walks over to take it . As he does , he looks to the Street End , lifts up his wrist , as if checking his watch and shakes his head . He approaches the corner flag , leans with his elbow on its tip and wipes his nose with the flag .
He takes the corner . Ball is cleared to corner of box . He intercepts , crosses , from which results winning goal . The place goes bananas . He turns around and goes crackers with the Gwladys Street .
I remember talking to Me Da’ in the night . Re-running it . I remember him saying ;
“ ., If he wanted , he could have ran up the heads all the way to the roof . They’d have carried him ,..â€
This was what this man was about . He was MUSTARD and he LOVED us like Timmy and Big Man’s Love-Child .
God was in his Heaven and all was good with the World .
He completed his third season as a Toffee , the team in 3rd place , and himself 40 games and 16 goals .
For the less mathematically gifted amongst the Congregation , that is 51 goals in his first three seasons . From midfield .
Then came 1969/70 ….
For students of Evertonia of a certain vintage it is this , and not the mid-’80’s side , which was the Greatest ever Post-War Everton team . The reason; 3 words ; The Holy Trinity . This was the year that made the World sit up and take notice .
It began with 4 wins . 2 at home , two away . Bally scored in two games . Bang-Bang . A draw , another 2 home wins . So it went . The only , pre- Xmas fly in the ointment was serverely back-down-to-Earth-with-a-bump home beating of the Lucifers , 0-3 .Not nice . Nevertheless , Onwards Evertonians …
However , two defeats over New Year , one a Cup exit at Sheff’ United ; Bally scored ours in a 1-2 defeat , and an anomaly at Southampton in January , we did not lose a game for the rest of the campaign . We literally steam-rollered teams with skill , pace , commitment , endeavour , desire ,.. The Holy Trinity have had some wonderfully descriptive adjectives applied to their union , mine would be Telepathic . As they appeared to do this **** instinctively , and JUST KNOW stuff ,..
We went on to romp the League title , as runaway Champions . Labby , injured and absent Bally collected the Trophy against West Brom’ , said it was the “ Only 3 man team to win the Championship . “
Yes , the focus was on the genius , but Husband , Whittle , Wright , and the Trinity with Youth . Westy , Labby , Moggsy , Sandy Brown , the old heads . It really was the perfect mixture , and was rightly termed , The School of Science for time immemorial .
Thus , the season ended early as England , as holders , prepared to go to Mexico .Everton as Champions , sent 4 players , as they did the next time the Central Americans hosted the Competition . However , Kendall and Harvey weren’t among them .
Bally of course , was . Moreover , he was now England’s , Go-To -Man , inheriting Bobby Charlton’s mantle with him still in the side .
As it was , the trip was a nightmare . The Pre-Tournament stay in Columbia went Postal , as Bobby Moore was accused of theft of a bracelet , arrested and incarcerated . It was a stitch-up designed to spook them . Furthermore , in the days leading up to the Germany Quarter Final , Gordon Banks picks up food poisoning and misses the game . England take a 2 goal lead , in the heat of Guadalajara . Ramsey going all tactical . Takes off both Bally and Bobby Charlton to rest them for the semi . However , Beckenbauer no longer needs to man mark Charlton and runs riot . With Bonetti having a Mare - alongside Labby at Centre Half , incidentally , West Germany come back to win 3-2 , and that was that .
We were gutted . He was devastated .
Thus , the new decade begins , as far as football was concerned , with us in our rightful place as Champions .
For whatever eason , and no-body has ever , truly explained it , 1970/71 was not as , up-and-up , as the previous four had been incremental Bossness . There was something missing …
Catterick blamed World Cup tiredness , he meant Bally . There were highlights , our First European Cup Campaign in nearly a decade began with a trip to Iceland and Keflavik . They were demolished 9-2 on aggregate as Alan James Ball Jnr. Becomes the first Everton player to score a hat-trick in the European
Cup . Still , the league still wasn’t coming together . We were winning but also losing , heavily .Coventry , a 0-4 hiding off The Arse’ ,0-3 to West Brom’ , and a 2-3 beating at the RS after leading 2-0 at half time .
Still , 3rd round of the European Cup , as we faced Borussia Moncheongladbach of Germany .. 0-0 away and back to Goodison . 1-1 .
Now , this is my personal favourite ever game at the Old Lady , because , it was Bally , we were Champions it was my first night game , my first European game , the first time a European Tie went to Penalties , and the LAST time an English team , any English team beat a German side on penalties . My Hero slotted his nonchalontly with his socks rolled down . We went crackers , and I think I left the ground at 10.40 pm ,…
I was in for the duration after this one like .
The next round it was Panathaniakos of Greece - Dirty , is what we thought . We were correct , but fair
play , they came and got a 1-1 as our inexperience in tournament football showed . No matter …
A win , and 2 more league defeats preceded the return European tie .
In the lead up to the game , Harry Catterick was asked how much was Alan Ball worth ..???
“ A Million Pounds …†He replied .
The game in Greece was everything you’d expect . Diving , spiting , that ****e . Furthermore , we were denied a certain penalty as we went out on away goals . W e were devastated as they went on to face Johann Cryuff and Ajax in the Final , and the Referee was later investigated for accepting bribes .
Three days later we faced the RS at Old Trafford in the F.A. Cup Semi Final .
In retrospect , this was to be last great stage , the last hurrah for this team . We take a 1-0 first half lead as Curly rifles one into the Stretford End top corner and are laffin’ . No danger . Then , just before half time , Labby goes off - which I had never seen him do before , just before half time .
After that it was the Alamo . Sandy Brown wasn’t Labby , with the greatest of respect , and 2 no marks , called Evans and Hall knocked us out and took the RS to Wembley .
To say Bally was gutted is to say I’m not crazy about the Bealzebubs .
From the remaining games we had one win , 2 draws and six losses , as we slid to 15th place . We asked , can e have our team back , please ??? Bally played 39 games but scored only 2 league goals , 7 in all , as the focus of Catterick’s subdued anger began to surface and the side ended 15th .
The following season began with rumours in the press that Alan Ball wished to eave Everton . They were denied by both parties and we carried on . The season began badly , a draw and two losses Crystal Palace , Coventry , Leeds Spurs .,…We did have a 1-0 home win over the RS , my last until Kingy , and the week after demolished Southampton 8-0 , in the “ New Scoreboard Game “ , 9 , 9 , 9 , 8 , 9 , 8 , 7 , 8 …on November 20th . It would be his final goals for Everton . The next four games saw tewo draws and 2 defeats , the last of which at Derby County on December 18 , 1971 .
Four days later , it is my Mother’s Birthday , and as usual , me Arl Fella is at work . Barbara is ironing , I’m pottering . I’m 8 and a half , and am waiting on a Purple Chopper a pair of white Hummels and an amber away kit , #8 . Suddenly on the radio news comes an abnnouncement ; “ Everton have agreed to sell Alan Ball to Arsenal for �220,000 . A British Record Transfer Fee , the second time the player has achieved such a feat ,…â€
Me and me Mum just looked at each other and said , “ You wha’ ??? “
Finally ,it began to sink in , and I kid you not , 8 years old , I took 2 new pence off Me Ma and went to the local phone box and called the Club . I actually got through to Catterick’s Secretary ; you could then , and gave her , on his behalf , a piece of my mind . I swear on my Grandchildren that this is true . My Dear Mother will vouch for me . Devastated didn’t even come close .
I’ve never told anyone this apart from Me Dad , and the other day , Barbara . I went to bed that night thinking , “ Supporting Arsenal’s not THAT bad ,..†I swear that , too . Me Arl Fella , seeing my devastation at the effective , Non-Christmas in our house , just said , “ O.K. But I tell you what , leave it until after Christmas . If you still feel the same , fair enough . “ I got over it , of course . The POINT , however , was how this man whom CRIED upon being told HE HAD TO LEAVE Everton , the effect this Giant in a Midget’s body had on us . He really did matter THAT much .
He played 208 appearances for the Toffees , scoring an amazing 66 goals , ALL FROM MIDFIELD . His influence however spread far , far wider than mere statistics .
While we would stumble through the seventies with a good side but wholly lacking the class of a decade earlier . The reason ??? Bally’s absence . Again , his Monumental effect over all things St. Domingo for a whole generation , two generations of heads .
Anyway , he goes to Arsenal , having won the double the previous season , and reaches the Cup Final , in his freshman year . He also is on crutches for the Goodison game and comes in via the Park End Disabled entrance and sits with his Arl Mate , Sid McGuiness , the Groundsman , in the Paddock . I sat in the Bullens Road looking at his head while the game went on around me . I cared not . My Hero was back . Many , many others felt the same .
In truth , his time at Arsenal did not enhance his career . He was still BOSS , but the side deteriorated around him . We were to see the best of Bally . Not Arsenal . They lost the final to Leeds , and in 1974 , Bally was made Gunners Captain .
One game sticks out though , Edge’s visit to the Water-Wingers as Bally got 2 at the Kop End . Hahaha . Bravo , all .
He would play 177 games for the Highbury reds , scoring 45 goals .
He left in December 1976 , to join Lawrie McMenemy’s , Southampton . He had a ball , Channon , the Horses ,…One thing from that period , it is 1978 , L.C.A.B. is Schoolboy footy player and season ticket holder . Arl Fella now just the Bullens bit . It is the fledgling days of Corporate Hospitality , but while me Da liked a free bevvy like the next fella , he was a Union Rep‘ for a Brewery . He got them anyway . All Day …
Anyway , he says , I’m in the Players Part . Do you want to come ?
“ No , ta . I’ll go with me mates . " It was only when the game started and I saw Bally , revered by the crowd , even then , that the penny dropped .
Me Da’ comes home with a book full of autographs which I still have somewhere , amongst them ,
“ To David . All the very best . Alan Ball “ .
We both sat like kids staring at it . Fukd up eh ???
His playing career meandered on via Philadelphia , Vancouver , back to Blackpool , back to Southampton , Bristol Rovers . He would ultimately play 975 games in the football league . You’d have thought they’d have given him the other 25 for services rendered .
Unsurprisingly , he went into Management . I am not going to focus on this aspect of his life , suffice to say , he gave as much effort and endeavour into that as he ever did as a player . His problem was having to work with individuals who could never come close to matching his work ethic , thought process or ability .
He did however , have some good times , as with Channon and my , now radio mucka , Quinny in taking Portsmouth to the First division . He was also Manchester City boss though took them down and did not survive . He managed Southampton with Le Tissier , giving him the Captaincy , seeing a kindred spirit , but in all , it was not the success it should have been and after Exeter City where , at least he was able to take the field with his boy , Jimmy , he slipped out of the game .
One thing , I always thought both Kendall and Harvey , " Let the Side Down ", in not at least offering him a role with the kids when we ROCKED . He would have walked here to do it .
In the late 1990’s Alan’s wife Lesley became increasingly ill . She was diagnosed with breast cancer . She would battle the disease until finally succumbing in 2001 . His daughter , Keely then also developed the condition , but thankfully recovered .
In the Milllenium Honours List , Bally and the remainder of the squad of 1966 received an M.B.E . He was delighted that his Wife was able to accompany him to the Palace with the Grandkids .
In 2005 , he decided , given you can’t split medals into 8 , to sell his World Cup and League Championship medals . He made a nice sum , and with it made provision for his 3 kids , Lesley , Keely and Jimmy and their families . He also went to the ill-fated Ashes in Australia ‘06 .
Before the end of the 2006 season , Labby passed away .
I attended his Funeral . On the way out , I look around and there is Bally , not 5 yards from me , but surrounded by Blues . I was gonna speak , but thought , sack it . He’s chokka .
On the way home though , I begin to think of many of the incidents I have described here , and by the time I got home I was gutted . Told me Ma and Me Nanna .
A week later , me Arl Girl walks in with a piece of paper . It says , ...
Alan Ball . C/o BBC Radio Solent , Southampton , S.O….
†Write him a letter . “ She says .
“ Know what ??? “ I says . “ I will . “
I did , sent it and basically forgot about it .
I saw him on the World Cup in Germany , and thought , “ I wonder if he ever got that ,,..??? “
About two months later , I’m in minding me Nan . Tuesday afternoon . The phone goes , about 2 o’clock .
“ Hello ??? “
“ David ??? Alan Ball…â€
“ Yeah . Fukn Alan Ball . Stop taking the…â€
“ David …â€
“ …OH MY GOD !!! …â€
That , is basically how the conversation went . My hero spent about 20 minutes on the phone , just talking Everton , the old days , how someone my age remembered him - BTW !!! Fantastic . My finest 20 mins , half an hour as an Evertonian . On my life .
Anyway , he says “ How’s your Nan ??? I must have mentioned her .
“ She’s O.K. Alan . Mad Evertonian herself , btw …â€
“ Aren’t we all , Son . Is she there ??? Put her on …â€
I says to me Nan ..
“ D’yar ,..†Handing phone .
“ Who is it ??? “ “ Alan Ball . “
“ Alan Ball ??? MY Alan Ball ,….??? †And I passed her over to our Hero .
Before he hung up , me being me , I says “ Alan , is there any chance of sending you some stuff , as I’ll never get this chance again ??? “
He replies .
“ Send a Van load if you want Son ..†And proceeds to give me his telephone number and address .
Bally , btw ,…
When I send the stuff I mention it’s a bit rough around here so can I put in the dough for recorded delivery . “ Not a problem ..†I duly sends off HUGE box , telling all me mates , I’ve got Bally’s address - would NEVER give it to anyone , like .
A month or so later , Me Aunty rings me , and says , “ Eh … Alan Ball has just rang our house asking do I know you and can he send a box of stuff here..??? “
What he’d done , my Aunty had got me the England Shirts on her card . Thus when they arrived , I just threw them in the box . He sees them , used to live in Formby himself , goes to Radio Station , obtains ex-directory number and , the rest you know .
Furthermore , he sends the box back , I open it . There is the dough in the envelope unopened .
I went to Interflora , Breck Road , and sent Lesley a Bouquet , saying , “ In eternal gratitude for your Dad being MY HERO …â€
We sent each other Christmas Cards and I would have sent a birthday card if he had lived .
As luck would have it , I had been ill at the end of April - I was still undiagnosed at this point .
On the night of April 25th , 2007 , I like Bally and many millions watched Man’ Utd destroy A.C Milan . Scholes was awesome . A little ginger running the show . Where have I heard that ..???
Anyway , lighting a fire to burn garden waste , it spread to a fence and in attempting to put it out , Alan suffered a Heart Attack and died . Ironic really , when we always considered his Heart to be at least as big as himself .
On the Saturday , I truly couldn’t get off the bed . I thus sat sobbing as I missed not only my first game in donkey’s years , but also HIS day .
I thus determined to present myself at the South West for his Funeral . I set off for Winchester Cathedral , at 5.55 am , with T.V. AM saying , PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND . We are expecting 10,000 people . I didn’t care .
I gets off at Stafford , as I’m messing with the bags , these two fellas come up .
" All right , mate ??? You going to Winchester ... ???" " I am , yes . " " Do you mind if we interview you ??? " " No . "
I thus met Paddy from the Echo and Mike Storey from The Post .As we’re going down , I’m telling them my story . By the time we arrived , they said , “ Listen . You’re boss . We’re gonna say you’re a Journalist and I’ll get you a Press pass …†Outstanding , I think .
So , I’m outside the Police Corden , waiting for them . Next thing , Copper disappears , so I just moseys on through this gate . Around me , are people in formal wear . I am ill and have on a bright yellow Everton shirt from Bally . Next thing this woman walks directly to me .
“ Are you from Everton Football Club ??? “ I started laughing .
“ No , darling . I AM , from Liverpool , but I don’t represent the Club . “
“ Have you got a ticket ??? OK , ON TOP …â€
“ In truth , my love , no . “
“ Do you want one ??? The family have asked us to go outside and find any blues and bring them in and put them at the front . “ I started juicing when she left . Me Arl Fella , Me Nan and Grandad AND Bally ALL helped me that day . I sat 20 feet from the Family .
Outside I met all kinds . The World Cup Squad , Sir Alex' , Celtic Manager Gordon Strachan , Theo Walcott and his Dad - Lovely people , and Denis Law .
I says , “ Lawman , Me Granddad Tim worshipped you .â€
“ You’re too young to remember me , Son . As he comes closer , he sees the shirt .
“ Have you come 200 miles for Bally ??? “
“ I’d have come 2,000 miles Lawman .â€
“ You’re a legend , Son . You’re family should be proud of you …†I kid you not .
Anyway , .. So that’s me Bally story . Me life , really .
I KNOW its mega , I KNOW I go on , but me POINT , was showing , particularly the young’uns , if you ever are searching for role-models for yourself or your children , as Evertonians or simply people , you will go an awful long way before you find a better one than Bally . This man was an outsider by birth but loved us for who we were to the end of his days . He , whom could stand with Champions . I’ve got a signed picture in my living room of him swapping pennants with Gunther Netzer , pre-Monchengladbach . He is SO PLEASED to be Everton Captain . Honest . Its awesome .
I’m going to forego the usual conclusion , as its already far too long . Bally was called Perpetual Motion . He was , but it was the gliding , the almost Heavenly Grace , that stayed with me . That , his drive , bottle , eye for goal , pace , tackling , his utter love for Everton and Evertonians , and most of all , HIS HEART . OF A LION . He is the Greatest thing I have ever seen in a Blue Jersey , and the reason I am the Blue I am today .. End of .
I miss him on every level .
I will leave you with two quotes .
The first , a kid at Lime Street sees him .
“ Alan . Can I have your autograph ??? “
“ Yis . “ He notices neither have pen nor paper .
“ It’s OK ,..†says the kid “ Spit on me hand . You’re Alan Ball !!! “
The other , upon his time at Goodison . ..
“ They say , “ No-one is bigger than the Club . " But you came very close …â€
Therefore , this Yuletide , thank the Almighty for his divine grace in providing , Alan James Ball Jnr . The Greatest of Them All .
Amen .
May the Good Lord be with you all this Christmas .
Remember , Jesus loves you ‘cause you’re a blue .
Look after your Peoples .
Peace out .
The ( Catholic ) Reverand L.C.A.B
Written in Britain .
" ... I know my Peoples hearing me ... Hollah if y'all need me .... Word ....."
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