Camden New Journal - Sports: Tributes paid to former Gunners World Cup star

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Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT
Published: 26 April 2007

Alan Ball

Tributes paid to former Gunners World Cup star

Arsenal legends mourn Alan Ball after his death aged 61

A HOST of football legends have been paying tribute to one of the club’s “greatest players of all time” after former Gunner and England star Alan Ball died yesterday (Wednesday) of a heart attack at the age of 61.
The youngest member of the England World Cup-winning side in 1966, Ball became an influential figure in the Arsenal starting line-up after joining the club for a British record transfer fee in 1971.
In a flourishing five-year spell with the Gunners, the former club captain scored 52 goals in 217 appearances and helped guide in a host of talented new young players.
Among that next generation of stars was legendary midfielder Liam Brady, who is now academy director at the club.
“In my opinion he was one of Arsenal’s greatest players of all time,” hesaid. “Although we didn’t win many trophies when Alan was here, he was still a fantastic player. Alan was a larger-than-life character – he enjoyed his life and loved playing football. I’m just so sad that he has died at such an early age,” Brady told the club’s official website.
Former teammate Bob Wilson also spoke of his loss. He said: “Everyone can visualise him with his red hair and squeaky voice which is still there and will always be there.
“He was such an infectious character, an extraordinary character. He was a World Cup hero as everyone knows and had an infectious enthusiasm for the game.
“He loved the game, he was a very charismatic guy and we have been friends since his playing days. He was down to play in a golf day for the Willow Foundation in May and his death is shattering news.”
Another former Arsenal hero to pay his respects was David O’Leary.
“I used to clean his white boots,” he said.
“I remember thinking that he must have been some player to wear those white boots – and Alan Ball was some player.”

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