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Football greats to remember Ball Football's legends remember Ball
(about 6 hours later)
Footballing greats are to turn out with thousands of mourners at the funeral of World Cup legend Alan Ball. Footballing greats are turning out along with hundreds of mourners at the funeral of World Cup legend Alan Ball.
The 61-year-old former member of the 1966 England squad was found dead at his home in Warsash, Hants, last week. The 61-year-old member of the 1966 England squad was found dead at his home in Warsash, Hampshire, last week.
He died of a heart attack while putting out a small fire that had broken out in a compost heap in his garden.He died of a heart attack while putting out a small fire that had broken out in a compost heap in his garden.
The funeral service will be held at Winchester Cathedral during Thursday lunchtime. Speakers will relay the service to the crowds outside. The funeral service is being held at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday. Speakers will relay the service to the thousands of people outside.
Mourners at the funeral will be led by Ball's son Jimmy, 31, and daughters Mandy Byrne, 39, and Keely Allan, 35.Mourners at the funeral will be led by Ball's son Jimmy, 31, and daughters Mandy Byrne, 39, and Keely Allan, 35.
Youngest member Lawrie McMenemy was among mourners at the Winchester service
Their mother, Ball's wife Lesley, died three years ago from cancer.Their mother, Ball's wife Lesley, died three years ago from cancer.
The family has requested no flowers but that any donations be made to the Bobby Moore Fund. Speaking outside the cathedral before the service, former Southampton manager Dave Merrington, said: "His awareness and perception of the game was absolutely terrific.
"The thing I liked about Alan was when I worked with him he was a simple guy - what you saw was what you got."
Dave Watson, who played alongside Ball for England and Southampton, described his memories of the midfielder: "He was a model professional, always perky, always optimistic and a great example to everybody else.
"He was enthusiastic and it was catching, you know. You never saw the dark side."
Everybody here today just loved the little guy, and we're going to miss him Former team-mate Bob Wilson
Ball was the youngest member of the England side that won the World Cup in 1966.Ball was the youngest member of the England side that won the World Cup in 1966.
He also won 72 caps for his country in a 10-year career and he made a total of 743 League appearances for Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal and Southampton. Several members of the squad are attending, including centre-half and former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton, goalkeeper Gordon Banks, full-back George Cohen and striker Roger Hunt.
He later managed seven clubs including Manchester City, Southampton and Portsmouth. Lawrie McMenemy, who signed Ball for Southampton, remembered him as an outstanding role model. He said: "He was a wonderful example to all the young players we had."
Former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper Bob Wilson, who played alongside Ball at Highbury in the 1970s, said: "Well, he was a magnificent footballer, and a magnificent human being.
"You know, he's just an infectious character, an enthusiast, not just for football but for life itself.
"Everybody here today just loved the little guy, and we're going to miss him."
Ball won 72 caps for his country in a 10-year career and made a total of 743 League appearances for Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal and Southampton.
He went on to manage seven clubs including Manchester City, Southampton and Portsmouth.