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Who Is The Greatest Of Them All?

Ian Macdonald has delved into his own personal archive and dug out some gems from previous occasions when the Ball of Fire returned to his true footballing home.  Here he recalls those glorious moments, in the company of Greatness.

�Who�s the greatest of them all?"

�Little curly Alan Ball!�

That was the claim of many, every time I ask an elder Evertonian their eyes light up like a kid at Christmas. �Ah Bally, what a player, what a player.  I still can�t believe they sold him�.

�I remember him turning his back with the ball to the opponent and then sitting on it, everybody laughed and applauded.�

�Ah that goal he scored against them in front of a hundred thousand fans, I�ll never forget that.  The Reds at Anfield said it never happened, it was only in the films (the game at Goodison was beamed back to Anfield in front of another forty thousand fans), he was a flame haired winner who drove his team mates to the point of mutiny.�

�I�ll never forget the day we sold him, the Reds danced with joy gleefully showing us the banner headlines in the Daily Mirror, many fans threw their tickets back in disgust of selling the family silver.�

Alan Ball joined us just after winning the World Cup in 1966.  He came from Blackpool, where another great had come from � Westy.  The fee was a British transfer record yet again by the Mersey Millionaires, a mind blowing at the time �110,000.  Viv Nicholson won �100,000 on the pools and was considered a celebrity in terms of becoming an instant millionaire.

When I think back how many times did we smash the transfer record in this country?  From the great �Dixie� to Bobby Latchford (who walks on water by the way), Adrian Heath, Tony Cottee, Dave Watson (for a defender) � and then the piggy bank ran away, tired of being smashed.

Yes Bally was a player any manager would love to have, he hated losing and would argue with everybody during the match.  One of the things I remember about him was his temperament and the way he would throw his arms about over decisions.  I�ll bet his card would be marked if he played today by those at FA headquarters in Soho Square.  The fogginess of time had me believe that he was sent off a lot but in fact it was only a couple of times or so whilst playing in the Royal Blue jersey.

He was a human dynamo on the field of play, hence the nickname �Ball of Fire�.  Rumour had it he had a heart three times bigger than that of a normal human being.  He ran and ran all game; he scored 58 goals in his first three seasons�from midfield!  He was also the first Everton player to score a hat trick in Europea against the mighty Keflavik.

With all that in mind, I decided when the opportunity arose to see the great man himself at a dinner organized by Everton, I�d go.  So back to Goodison on a Thursday night.  We may have to get used to this day for games in the UEFA Cup next season all things going well.  We went upstairs, to the Joe Mercer Suite, for drinks.  Then we were ushered into my second home of late, in the Alex Young Suite (to find my bed and a bin bag of clothes!).

As we sat for the latest ex-hero offerings, the MC for the night, Wally (an Everton scout of more than twenty years), told us the format for the night - a three course dinner, God and then a young comedian / mimic by the name of Leslie Gibbon.  As usual raffle tickets were offered for such prizes as an autographed picture of Bally, a weekend for two in London including a show (wonder who puts them on?), an autographed ball, bottles of wine etc for �5 a strip.  Dinner finished and then the top table turned into the Last Supper with guess whom in the middle.  The one and only Alan Ball!

Bally said thanks for the great applause for the after dinner squeaker.  This is his real home and always will be.  Down the south coast where he lived he�d watched the re-birth of the Blues with pride and admiration.  He thanked David Moyes for the great job he is doing and the remarkable kid we have at number 18, a fantastic find.

Bally said he could see light now at the end of the tunnel for his club.

The Ball of Fire went on to talk of how hard it was in management when he went to Pompey for the second time. His name was in chalk on the door and more worrying a sponge on the floor.  He was desperately sad when Man City sacked him as he thought he had left everybody down and stayed in, a full week away from the media.  When he did leave the house he noticed an old lady struggling across the road .He went over to her and asked can you manage?  She replied, �a bit better than you did!�

He remembered his days at Southampton and told of the time when they were getting beat by Newcastle at home with three minutes to go.  His team then scored three goals in two and a half minutes and won the game.  Afterwards he could hear Keegan lambasting his Magpies and said if results did not pick up then he�d bring new faces in.  Beardsley replied can he have one!

Bally said that not a day goes past that someone asks him about his World Cup win.  Of where they were and how did it changed his life?

Alan then described his career, from being turned down by Wolves after twelve months by Stan Cullis, and Bolton, citing the reason that he was too small and lightweight.  Bolton said he was better suited to be a jockey.  He stayed at home to finish school and wrote to every team in the North West for a trial.  Blackpool replied and on a cold Saturday at Fleetwood he did enough to get a twelve-month contract.

He left his home in Farnworth and got digs in Blackpool.  Urged on by his dad, his mentor, Bally worked hard and got his chance when Stanley Matthews got injured and he made his first team debut at Anfield.  The Reds were just promoted but lost 1-2, inspired by Ball who scored a goal as well.

Bally said that Anfield was his lucky ground and scoring was no problem against them.

As ever his Dad trimmed his wings and told him he was not a footballer yet and had to prove himself over a season.  It slaughtered him at the time but in hindsight his Dad taught him a lesson, Bally was just 17.

Then came the World Cup and the lad from Farnworth played himself into the last 28 players for the squad but ultimately six would not make the cut for the final squad of 22.

A week of tests at Lilleshall to see who would make it to the greatest football tournament of all and to be held at home in England.

The names on that fateful Friday morning were read out in alphabetical order so Bally knew he would know early then.  First name out Alan Ball everything else went past him who was left out it never mattered he was in for the big one.

Bally rang to tell his dad of the great news his dad as always came back with it was good but you have to get into the team now.

Bally cited that the reason England won the World Cup was that they had five world-class players: Banks, Moore, Bobby Charlton, Greaves and our own Ray Wilson.

Loyalty was Ramsey�s main attribute, it was said it was harder to get out of his teams than get in them.  Ramsey told the squad that generals and foot soldiers cannot win wars on their own but together they can.  Bally spoke of his friend Nobby Stiles and how nice he was off the pitch but on it he was a nightmare.  Nobby once asked Alan why did opposing players take an instant dislike to him.  Alan replied because it saved time!

Ramsey told Bally and Nobby to go fetch the ball for Bobby Charlton so he could pepper the goal or make a 50yd pass.  Everyone in Ramsey�s team had a certain job to do and to play for each other.  In the semi final against Portugal, Ramsey said to Nobby to mark their jewel in the crown, the great Eusabio, Nobby replied �For life?�

Bally went on to describe the feeling of walking onto the pitch in front of 100,000 fans.  It�s awesome and never to be forgotten.  The night before the Final the squad still did not know who would be picked and Bally spoke to his father who�d told him he would only come down if his son was picked.

Saturday morning, the wait was over, and Bally�s dad went down to Wembley for the greatest England game to unfold.  His dad, as always, advised him that the match and day would fly past and he had to put in the performance of his life otherwise he would regret it for the rest of his life - and by the way don�t come home beaten!

Eleven players from the twenty-two (there were no subs then) strode out that afternoon to make history.  Gladiators in an arena where there could only be one winner.  As you know, England won and that disputed goal was a mile over the line�.honest!

So after the Final and the celebrations, where was Bally to go? The Lake District!

Alan had booked a week there with Lesley, his girlfiend, later to become his wife and mother of their three children, to reflect and holiday.

But after three days he came back to Blackpool to train as he was bored.

As he walked into the training ground the Blackpool manager screamed at him, �Where have you been?  We�ve tried to get hold of you for ages.  You�ve been sold. A British transfer record has been agreed with two clubs involved. You decided which one.�

So as per usual his Dad, the biggest influence in his life was phoned.

�What do I do Dad?� His father replied, �Who are the teams involved?�

�Everton and Leeds�, came the answer.

His dad just replied to young Alan, �look lad we�ll discuss this at length tonight. Don�t worry, together we�ll sort it out what will be the best for you.  Oh by the way your staying in Lancashire!�

As I�ve described before, Bally was greeted by Harry Catterick, the then Everton manager, with a statement of intent, �welcome to the big time�.  As he looked around the dressing room at his new team mates he was in awe.  Players like Roy Vernon, Brian Labone, Ray Wilson, Brian Harris, Alex Young, Gordon West (his old Blackpool team mate), Jimmy Gabriel, Howard Kendall, Colin Harvey, Dennis Stevens - to name a few. Alan said it was a wonderful football club, just wonderful.

He was just 21.

On the Friday he went down to London to make his debut against Fulham, the train was packed with Evertonians.  That Friday night Jimmy Gabriel asked young Bally did he want to go for a walk to calm himself.  Bally agreed and they walked into a pub!

Believe it or not Bally had never been in a pub before.  Bally asked his new team mate what did the Evertonians expect of him.  �Give 100% every match that�s what they want like any other football fan.�  Bally scored on his debut the following day at Craven Cottage, we won one nil, on the train home Bally never had a minute�s peace from his new adoring fans.  An Everton great was born.

Two weeks later Alan was back at Anfield in a Royal Blue shirt, this time and scored two goals in a 3-1 win.  He always said it was his lucky ground.

"I remember being completely overwhelmed with emotion on one particular Saturday when I got two goals against Liverpool. I was running back to the centre circle after I scored the second one and pure elation welled up inside me. I remember thinking: "I just I love this place - I want this place forever". Once Everton has touched you, nothing will be the same."

In 1969 he went back again with the Champions elect and two goals from Big Joe Royle and Alan Whittle practically secured the Title.  How sweet that must have been.  Alan never held any fears playing against them.

Harry Catterick never coached the team, he just used to help train them and they would express themselves.  His backroom staff of Wilf Dixon (trainer) and Norman Borodale (Physio) were vitally important in his estimation, they were very important in the big picture of this successful Everton side throughout the Sixties.

Bally then described his team mates briefly.  He spoke of Westy, like another father from his Blackpool days he clipped his head every day.  Alex Young, football brain wise, was the greatest ever, he showed young Alan of how to get space and shooting at angles.

Colin and Howard were described as the best two footballers he had played with as a team. Some compliment that from a World Cup winning player.  He still can�t believe they only conjured up one England cap between them.  Big Joe held up play for them and knocked down balls for the rest of the team to score.  Jimmy Husband, Bally can only remember one bad game he played.  Unfortunately it had to be in the FA Cup Final loss to West Brom.  Jimmy took the ball off Alan�s head when Bally would have scored a certain goal and headed himself over the bar.  We battered them but went home losers.   Folklore says that Bally threw his loser�s medal away at the final, he was not interested in losing any game.

Another World Cup came but it was not to be in Mexico as the conditions were too much for the European sides. 

He was often asked why the white boots and he replied with one word, - �money!�  His Dad said to him over the new trend in footwear, �I hope your good, so as the crowd don�t laugh at you.�  They were the worst boots he had to play football in so he would get his favoured Adidas boots painted by the boot boy at the time, Ronnie Goodlass.  Rain washed the paint away one match so he never got paid.

Then came the time to explain his passing away from our great club and the explanation hit home hard.  That fateful morning when he came in as usual to train he was summoned by The Cat ( the Everton manager�s nickname), he was told the Board had received an offer from Arsenal and they accepted it.  Bertie Mee�s downstairs to finalise personal details, its up to you now!

Bally asked his dad yet again for advice. He replied telling Bally to just ask the boss does he want you to go?  He said yes.  Then run as fast as you can away from Everton and go to Arsenal.

After Bally agreed terms he went upstairs to say his goodbye to his boss of six years.  He told The Cat, �thanks for everything, but I�m your captain, I�m playing well, I play for England, I was your record signing. Why then am I going?   I don�t want to go really but you do?�

�Well son, true the fee I bought you for was a record but we�re selling you now for a record �220,000.  We�ve doubled our money after six years, that�s business!�  A few conversations I had this night did reveal that Bally never played as well at Arsenal and that he had lost his pace.  To be honest in reflection maybe the Board was right, but the Championship side that had an average age of 23 fell away after this deal.  Rumours of paying off gambling debts etc. were clung onto, with the Evertonians at the time wanting to know the real reason for his sudden departure.  The news of Bally�s sale was met like a death in the family and only time healed the scars of this deal in the same way as a loss of a loved one.  Bally was truly loved.

Alan closed his speech saying, �My heart will always be here, I played the best football of my life at Everton and it was because of you fans - you took my heart and soul, thank you.�

Cue  Moyes�s song  � He�s got red hair and we don�t care Alan, Alan Ball�.

My mate Matty said goodbye to Bally outside at Goodison by kissing his feet!  Bally was revered as a God by so many who saw him in his pomp.

From the recent Adelphi Hall of Fame Function

Bally was introduced to talk to the fans, up goes the chant �Alan Ball, Alan Ball, Alan Alan Ball he�s got red hair and we don�t care Alan Alan Ball�.

Alan raised his arm and quietened the crowd like a Messiah, with the following speech bringing many a tear to the eye.  �Every time I come back to Merseyside I have wonderful feelings, I can see it�s the same for every player here tonight.  On the South Coast last Sunday I can tell you a group of Evertonians lifted the roof when AJ scored that goal, (Alan is also the patron of the Jersey Blues), the cry goes up �Alan Ball is an Evertonian� from the crowd.  I wish Andy all the best for Saturday and hope he makes the England no 9 his own.  Driving up I think its 35 years since I left in 1972 I�m amazed I�m not forgotten.  This is the club you made.  In 1966 I was just 21 with Ray when we won the World Cup - a fabulous day and I was part of a wonderful game I remember thinking can it ever get better than this?�

Alan�s Dad was at Fulham away to see his son�s debut sat with Sir John and Harry Catterick.  Bally scored the only goal.  Alan�s dad said to Sir John and Harry we�ll have to discuss terms (imagine this today).  Who is the highest paid player?  Alex Young was the reply. �Well pay our Alan �30 a week less, he�ll have to earn the rest!�

Bally recalled, �I remember Sir John pulling me one day and saying that my corners were not good enough.  The next night game came and we won 2-0, Sir John pulled me again and told me that my corners now are marvellous, well done. Thank you Mr Moores.  I never took corners!�

Alan went on to talk about the famous derby win that was screened at Anfield, as well and the feeling of scoring the only goal.  Then Alan went on to talk about his team mates, Westy a great keeper, Tommy Wright a wonderful underrated full back, Ray Wilson, he had the great Garrincha in his pocket, said it all.  A young powerhouse that was John Hurst.  Our Skipper Labby who taught me so much about being a captain both on and off the field. �Labone ,Labone, Labone, Labone ,Labone�  the crowd sang again.

�Then there was my three little mates, Wilf Dixon had us as fit as flees, but we were hardly coached, we played football as it came.  Now it beggars belief that Colin and Howard only had one England cap between them. Alex Young, I have never played with a better footballer than Alex, Johnny Morrisey pound for pound the best wide man I played with. Joe Royle up on his own at just 19.And Chelsea think they invented this formation�!

�Joey Royle�s Blue and White Army� up went the chant.

�We had seven players under 23, Harry Catterick had built a second great team again, I remember David�s first week when he said we were the People�s Club, he was spot on.  Keep going the way you�re going.  I love ya��

�Alan Ball ,Alan Ball ,Alan Alan Ball he�s got red hair and we don�t care Alan Alan Ball�.

From the Holy Trinity Dinner

Little curly Alan Ball was asked to stand up by Elton Welsby and asked of his time at Everton after the clapping and singing subsided he squeaked out that when he asked his Dad, his mentor, after he signed for Everton when I get there what shall I do.  His Dad told him to be a honest pro, fight for everything, give plenty of sweat and blood for the cause, do it for the supporters and they will take you into their hearts.  And he did and we did.

Alan told us he was a Bolton fan as a boy but knocked back as a player for them for being too small, I think Wolves did the same to him.

Alan told us that a 21 he won the World Cup but was still at Blackpool at the time and although he was with great players in the England set up he was with them part time.  When he signed for Everton he looked around the dressing room and felt humble, there was Young, Parker, Labone, Wilson, Westy, Gabriel, Morrisey to name but a few.  He thought how am I going to get a game?  But he did the following week at Fulham away where he scored on his debut, 1-0.  You know lads we were together then we felt privileged to put the shirt on.  We had a hard manager who led by fear, and a miserable sod to boot, but he instilled in us nothing but the best, like the clubs motto.

I know I was in a World Cup winning team but I came to play for the best club in the world.  I went to Arsenal broken hearted, they treated me like a king there, but their derby games were nothing like ours.

At Southampton I played with six England captains (can you name them?) in front of just 14,000 fans.  I had happy times there as well but nothing like Everton.

Where I live now on the south coast by the Isle of Wight there is pubs called the �Jolly Farmers�, in that pub a set of Evertonians gather and we talk of our one love.  You see, there are Evertonians everywhere.

If the reds had had to endure what we have these last 16 years their crowds would be down to 19,000.

When I was a kid Westy would give me many a belt at Blackpool to keep me in check, he�s just give me one now on the way in!

We were never really coached by Catterick we did that together, if we made mistakes on Saturday we�d sort them out on the Monday; Wilf Dixon our trainer at the time just left us to it.

If a team wanted to play football against us we would beat them at us, if they wanted to fight us we�d fight them as long as Morrisey was in the side!

We still feel very privileged to be here tonight with you thanks for your feelings towards us.�

Cue �Whose the greatest of them all?  Little curly Alan Ball�

A little man with big words.

It was a cracking night.  Let me leave you with a message from the heart from little Alan Ball to sum up how the club touches certain players and their families.  Alan�s wife, Lesley, was in ill health; she had cancer and was in hospital with her family around her.  Alan was asked to come up for a couple of days for this night and the last home match of the season.  He was in turmoil not knowing what to do and asked his wife for advice.  He told Lesley he�d cancel but she replied, saying, �No you go and be amongst your people, that�s where you belong, I�ll be ok.�   Nothing more for me to add is there?

What a woman and what a man.

I doubt we will ever see the likes of Alan Ball again we were blessed with his coming.

Ian Macdonald

PS   I spoke to Westy�s friend, Linda, yesterday to see if he was alright over Alan�s sad loss bearing in mind it was his own birthday and twelve months since his soul mate Labby had gone.  Linda told me Gordon was already upset with Labby�s anniversary upon us and now Alan (who was his Blackpool and Everton team mate), leaving us so suddenly like Labby it was very hard to bear.

Linda, to break the atmosphere, said to Gordon, �Do you think Harry Catterick is assembling a new team in heaven with Labby, Vernon, Scott and now Alan?�  Gordon replied in his dry Yorkshire accent, �Well he can get lost if He thinks I�m going in that team just yet!�

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