World Cup hero Alan Ball dies
World Cup winning football legend Alan Ball, who spent his childhood in Shropshire, died of a heart attack early today while tackling a bonfire in his garden. World Cup winning football legend Alan Ball died of a heart attack early today while tackling a bonfire in his garden. Mr Ball, 61, spent his childhood in Oswestry, where his father was player manager of Oswestry Town Football Club and he went to Oswestry Boys High School. Firefighters and police were called to his home in Hampshire at 12.15am when his body was discovered outside. Mr Ball was the youngest member of the team that lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966. He received the MBE for his services to sport in 2000. You can leave your comments and tributes in the box below. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Firefighters and police were called to his home in Hampshire at 12.15am when his body was discovered outside. A Police spokesman said Mr Ball had been trying to tackle a bonfire that had got out of control when he collapsed and died.
Mr Ball, the youngest member of the team that lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966, won 72 caps for his country in a 10-year England career. He received the MBE for his services to sport in 2000.
World Cup winning goalscorer Sir Geoff Hurst led the tributes, saying that the other members of the 1966 team were "totally devastated".
Sir Bobby Charlton said he was "shocked and saddened" by the death of his 1966 England team-mate.
The former Manchester United midfielder said: "He was probably the best player that day and if it had not been for his impact the result could have been totally different."
In May 2005 the diminutive star, who had three grandchildren, put his World Cup winners' medal and commemorative tournament cap up for auction to raise money for his family. They were sold for £140,000.
Today people in Oswestry were saddened by the death of the 1966 World Cup hero, who had trained as a teenager at the town's Victoria Road ground. He attributed his success to his father, the popular player manager of Oswestry Town in the late 1950s and early 60s.
The family also ran the Kings Head pub in Oswestry.
"They were heavily involved in the town and did a lot for football in Oswestry," Oswestry butcher, Mr Mo Battams, said.
"Everyone in the town was very proud when Alan went on to play in England's World Cup winning team."
By Sue Austin
