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World Cup winner Alan Ball dies of heart attack

25/04/2007

Bolton-born footballer and former Manchester City manager Alan Ball has died of heart attack aged 61, after watching Manchester United play AC Milan in the European Championship semi-final.

Ball, who at 21 was the youngest member of the England squad that beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, won 72 caps for his country in a ten-year career with England.

Police have revealed that Ball died of a heart attack while tackling a fire in his garden. His body was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

He started his career at Blackpool and went on to play for Everton and Arsenal. After leaving Bristol Rovers in 1984, he continued to manage clubs, including Southampton and Man City.

Sir Geoff Hurst said: "He was the youngest member of the team and man of the match in the 1966 World Cup final.

"Socially he was always a good laugh and the 1966 team mixed a lot after then. We are all totally devastated."

Ball, who was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to football, is the second member of the side that beat West Germany in 1966 to die. Captain Bobby Moore died of cancer 14 years ago.



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