Alan Ball appreciation thread

[Major Gowen]

The following tribute is short but perfect - just like the man himself:

 

[Major Gowen]

A small example of the place Bally retains in the hearts of Evertonians lucky enough to have seen him.

I went last Saturday night to The Atkinson in Southport to see Ball of Fire, a dramatisation of his life and career from an unashamedly Everton perspective. When I booked the tickets, I was worried about the turn out, and hoped for the best. Rarely can a concern have been more misplaced.

To my delight, the place was packed with fellow-elderly Blues - a few in 1966 Cup Final replica shirts - almost all of whom greeted the name "Emlyn Hughes" with exactly the love and affection we used to all those years ago.

Cheers, little fella, you were magnificent.

 

[allezlesbleus]

He really was a special player.

 

[kev]

A small example of the place Bally retains in the hearts of Evertonians lucky enough to have seen him.

I went last Saturday night to The Atkinson in Southport to see Ball of Fire, a dramatisation of his life and career from an unashamedly Everton perspective. When I booked the tickets, I was worried about the turn out, and hoped for the best. Rarely can a concern have been more misplaced.

To my delight, the place was packed with fellow-elderly Blues - a few in 1966 Cup Final replica shirts - almost all of whom greeted the name "Emlyn Hughes" with exactly the love and affection we used to all those years ago.

Cheers, little fella, you were magnificent.

I'll be missing TV coverage of the game on Thursday as I'll be at the theatre watching this. Can't wait.

 

[Major Gowen]

I'll be missing TV coverage of the game on Thursday as I'll be at the theatre watching this. Can't wait.

Make sure you buy a copy of the tribute DVD, Kev, as Bally was a fine after dinner speaker, and the included examples capture him at his best.

I enjoyed the evening so much that it took a real effort to refrain, during the standing ovation at the play's conclusion, from standing on my seat and shouting: "What's our name?"

 

[AdaBrummieblue]

The player I'd most like to have been old enough to see other than Dixie. I'm lucky enough to have seen the 80's teams but i'd kinda give a sideways look to a rs just to watch Alan Ball play in the flesh.

 

[Eggs]

..rhapsody in blue, the greatest I had the pleasure of watching. My hero then, my hero now.

 

[bcblue1878]

The "great" word gets lobbed around a lot these days when talking about good and sometimes only even pretty average players, however Alan Ball was and will always be a true Everton great! The best player I have had the honour of watching in the Royal Blue shirt.

 

[summerisle]

The following tribute is short but perfect - just like the man himself:

It's amazing how many times he glides past players as they are comprehensively beaten. Wish I'd seen him.

 

[kev]

Make sure you buy a copy of the tribute DVD, Kev, as Bally was a fine after dinner speaker, and the included examples capture him at his best.

I enjoyed the evening so much that it took a real effort to refrain, during the standing ovation at the play's conclusion, from standing on my seat and shouting: "What's our name?"

I'll definitely get a copy. Alan Ball was my first hero and I was lucky enough to have met him on several occasions. A true gentleman and WOW! what a player. By far the best I've ever seen and I don't expect that to change. Deeply sorry for those blues who are too young to have seen the maestro.

 

[Joey66]

It's amazing how many times he glides past players as they are comprehensively beaten. Wish I'd seen him.

I seen him he was like that most games - he scored goals he made goals , and no one who crunched him was never given it back by him or Moggsy!
his disciplinary record was bad as this guy never gave up in anyway never liked to lose a game!

 

[Blue Sky]

I watched him , remember the first game with white boots , I think it was Coventry City 0-0 . Also remember the Daily Mirror hitting the mat and Ball looking stunned as he stood by his car when reporters told him he had been sold.
This is my favourite football photo of all time , sums up Alan and the game as it was .

 

[bcblue1878]

Make sure you buy a copy of the tribute DVD, Kev, as Bally was a fine after dinner speaker, and the included examples capture him at his best.

I enjoyed the evening so much that it took a real effort to refrain, during the standing ovation at the play's conclusion, from standing on my seat and shouting: "What's our name?"

Major G, is the tribute DVD you mention to do with the Ball Of Fire show you saw, or is it one that is out about Alan Ball and already available?

 

[msb]

I know its probably heresy to say it, but Gana Gueye is very much like Bally in his application and energy. of course, nowhere near him as a footballer, but the energy .....

 

[peteblue]

The following tribute is short but perfect - just like the man himself:

I loved watching that, I loved watching him play, I have a tear in my eye as I type this......