I have had the privilage of working with Alan on several occasions and can only say what an inspirational man he was.
If you have ever heard Alan talk of his up bringing, his playing career and his relationship with his father (who was his idol), you could not fail to be inspired by the man's motivation to the best he could be and to make his family and his country proud.
I'm not surprised his managment career was abit up and down as I think he often struggled to understand what motivated the modern footballer.....as if playing football itself was not enough.
top man , always came across as very enthusiastic for the game and a genuine nice man.
think i last saw him on telly at the first game back at the 'new wembley' and he was as excited as a big kid then
RIP
met the man once at a hotel in Southampton, in the bar. His Pompey side had just that afternoon lost at Birmingham and had blown promotion, think it was the season we were promoted. Anyway, I made some wise arse comment but he took in in good heart and bought me a drink and we had a brief chat. Really nice bloke. RIP.
Totally shocked at the news. That a man who was such a bundle of energy and enthusiasm could no longer be with us makes me think about the fragile nature of our existence.
He was a brilliant player and seems to have been universally thought of by those who knew him as a decent man.
[cite]Posted By: son of selhurst[/cite]I'm not surprised his managment career was abit up and down as I think he often struggled to understand what motivated the modern footballer.....as if playing football itself was not enough.
In my minds eye I can still see him covering every blade of grass during that magical World Cup Final of 1966. For the benefit of the youngsters the work he got through that day makes Kish look positively static.
Proper player who loved the game a shame there are not more players these days with his attitude.
I think Henry has it right when he says Alan missed his wife.
Comments
very sad news.
RIP
A fine man, and a role model
RIP
I have had the privilage of working with Alan on several occasions and can only say what an inspirational man he was.
If you have ever heard Alan talk of his up bringing, his playing career and his relationship with his father (who was his idol), you could not fail to be inspired by the man's motivation to the best he could be and to make his family and his country proud.
I'm not surprised his managment career was abit up and down as I think he often struggled to understand what motivated the modern footballer.....as if playing football itself was not enough.
RIP Alan Ball
RIP
think i last saw him on telly at the first game back at the 'new wembley' and he was as excited as a big kid then
RIP
And thanks for helping to provide us with one of, if not the, proudest moment in Englands sporting history.
He was a brilliant player and seems to have been universally thought of by those who knew him as a decent man.
RIP.
RIP
very interesting, and quite apt.
RIP Alan and thank you for the World Cup.
Proper player who loved the game a shame there are not more players these days with his attitude.
I think Henry has it right when he says Alan missed his wife.
A tragedy RIP
RIP
I met Alan Ball at the U21s a couple of months ago, and he was a really nice bloke, RIP.