Alan James Ball Biography

Birth of Alan James Ball Jr

Given his international debut in a 1-1 draw with Yugoslavia in Belgrade

The youngest member of the squad of 22 selected by Ramsey for the tournament, aged only 21.

Member of England World Cup winning team.

Plays for defending champions England at Mexico 1970, where West Germany overturn a two-goal deficit in the quarter-final.

Is sent off against Poland in Chorzow during England's unsuccessful 1974 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Misses England's 1-1 draw with Poland at Wembley that ends qualification hopes for the 1974 World Cup.

Ball is given the captaincy after the dropping of Emlyn Hughes and holds it for six consecutive games, none of which England lost, and included a 5-1 defeat of Scotland in May 1975

Balls international career ends suddenly and acrimoniously after 72 appearances and eight goals, the last of the 1966 team

Ball resumes his managerial career iwith Portsmouth and was a huge success

Guides Portsmouth to the top flight

Appointed Manager of Stoke City

Relegated after just one season back among the elite, Ball is sacked in for failing to mount a serious promotion challenge after having a serious personality clash with Portmsouths then chairman Jim Gregory

Sacked with Stoke on their way to recording their lowest ever final league position of 15th in the leagues third tier

Appointed as manager of 3rd Division Exeter City

Appointed as manager of Southampton

Appointed manager of Manchester Citys manager under the ownership of former England team-mate Francis Lee

Appointed manager of Portsmouth, 2nd time

Death of Alan James Ball Jr