Alan Ball, a midfielder in England's 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died at the age of 61, it was reported today. The 61-year-old suffered a heart attack last night, his son, Jimmy, said.

Ball - the youngest member of the side that lifted the Jules Rimet trophy after beating West Germany 4-2 at Wembley - died after watching Manchester United's Champions League semi-final first leg against AC Milan.

"I was talking to him last night just after the football and he was in great form," his son, Jimmy, said. "We were talking about [Paul[ Scholes's pass [for United's second goal].

"And then I got a phone call in the middle of the night. It's unbelievable and very, very sad."

The midfielder won 72 caps for his country in a 10-year England career, and starred for both Everton and Arsenal.

A key member of manager Sir Alf Ramsey's "wingless wonders" team, he was awarded an MBE for his services to football in 2000.

Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the final, said the 1966 squad members were "devastated" by Ball's death.

"He was man of the match in the 1966 World Cup final," he said. "Socially, he was always a good laugh and the 1966 team mixed a lot after then. We are all totally devastated."

Another former England colleague, Alan Mullery, described Ball's death as "shocking news". "He was such a bouncy, lively, young 61-year-old. He was the life and soul of everything," he told Sky News.

"I played with him [in the 1970 World Cup] in Mexico. He was a loveable character ... he had a heart of gold. He lived football, and he loved playing for his country. It is such a shock."

Ball is the second member of the World Cup-winning side to die. Captain Bobby Moore died of cancer in 1993.

He was a key member of manager Sir Alf Ramsey's "wingless wonders" team, and was awarded an MBE for his services to football in 2000.

After his playing career had ended, Ball moved into management, with the clubs he took charge of including Portsmouth and Manchester City.

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A very sad loss. RIP Alan.

Absolutely stunned by this news, as I'm sure many others will be. A great player and a real character as a manager..he will be sorely missed. RIP Bally

just 61?


RIP Alan Ball... you will be missed by many !

Very sad. A real great of the English game.

A Bolton lad as well.

Only 61 years old too. Tragic.

RIP Alan

A Bolton lad mayber...but also a Gooner.

Alan Ball signed for Arsenal in December 1971, after having won the league with Everton. he scored 52 goals in 217 appearances, but never won a trophy with us. He was club captain in the 1973/74 side, which proved to be an important role as he was responsible for mentoring future greats such as Liam Brady.

After a few seasons with injury problems, Alan left for Southampton in 1976, where he helped them win promotion. He finished his playing days in the US, before going into management.

In 2000 he was awarded an MBE for his services to football.

To die at 61 is a tragedy. Ball was a nice bloke, and a great player, and will obvoiusly be remember in equal parts for his role in the 1966 World Cup team, and for me anyway, for his slightly daft sqeaky voice.

Thanks for everything Alan. Rest in peace.



Vicky

Strewth...61.

A great player who could run all day. Rest in peace and thank you.

He was born and bred in Bolton.

Unfortunately he never actually played for us.

I find it quite amazing that, thank God, he's still only the second player to have died from that '66 team.

There was an interview with Jackie Charlton on the radio this morning...poor guy was obvoiusly totally gutted.

I suppose they all assumed that Alan would be the last to go.

Vicky

goes to sho you cant assume nothing where life is concerned.


RIP alan

The best tribute was when his son said that he was such a wonderful father that he'd like him to be remembered as a nice person.



His enthusiasm was infectious and I don't think anyone had a bad word to say about him and he was loved by fans of lots of clubs

RIP Alan Ball, one of the most under-appreciated players nowadays of the '66 winning team. listening to the other players talking about him today it sounds like he was Man of the Match on that occassion, and from what I've seen of the game he really drove England forward and at such a young age, the youngest member of the squad at just 21 years old.

I saw his son talking about him this morning too, really quite moving, fair play to him.

RIP.

RIP, great player with an unbelievable work rate.