World Cup winner Alan Ball dies while trying to put out a bonfire

14 April 2012

Cup winner Alan Ball has died trying to put out a bonfire that had got out of control in his back garden.

The 61-year-old collapsed after suffering a suspected heart attack as he threw a bucket of water over the flames

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Proudest day: Bobby Charlton holds aloft the World Cup with Alan Ball (left) and Bobby Moore (right) in close support

Firefighters found him lying in the garden after neighbours rang 999 when they saw the fire. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene early today.

It is believed the former Arsenal, Everton and Southampton midfielder lit the bonfire last night and then became engrossed in the Manchester United Champions League game on TV.

Fire investigators are examining the cause of the fire in the village of Warsash, near Southampton.

His son Jimmy said: "I was talking to him last night just after the football and he was in great form. Then I got a phone call in the middle of the night. It's unbelievable and very, very sad."

Ball, who was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to football, lived alone after his wife Lesley, 57, died from ovarian cancer three years ago.

Ball was due to play golf today in aid of the Wessex Heart Foundation.

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It's ours: Jack Charlton holds the World Cup with Geoff Hurst (left), Alan Ball (right) and Bobby Moore (front) eye the World Cup

His 1966 team-mate Geoff Hurst said: "I'm shocked and devastated. Alan was the youngest of the 1966 team and his wife was the youngest of the wives.

"Ask any of the players who was their man of the match when we won the World Cup and they would all say Bally."

Sir Tom Finney spoke of his shock and sadness at the death of a fellow football legend. Sir Tom, capped 76 times for England, said: "I am totally shocked, it is just unbelievable. He always seemed in the best of health and full of energy. And 61 is no age to die."

Sir Tom said Ball was a major reason England won the World Cup in 1966. He said: "He was a very, very good player. He was very similar in style to a Lampard or a Gerrard.

He gave everything he had in a game and he was one of the main movers and influences in that 1966 team."

Speaking from Ball's large detached home today a family friend said: "Alan was burning some rubbish in a proper brazier in the afternoon. It looks like it started up again in the night and he was going out to put it out and we think he keeled over in the garden."

Emergency services dashed to the scene after a 999 call was made following reports of a man in his sixties lying in the garden of the property. A spokesman for Hampshire police said: "Police can confirm that the body of a man has been found in garden of a house in Hook Lane, Warsash, following a fire at the property.

"Officers were called to the scene at just before 12.15am after the body of the man, who was believed to be in his sixties, was found outside the house.

"Hampshire Fire and Rescue were already there dealing with the fire. Officers from CID have attended the scene and at this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious."

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service Hampshire Division said: "We had an emergency call at 12.08am. There was a man found deceased, we did not convey anyone to hospital."

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Devoted couple: Alan Ball and his wife Lesley

A distinctive figure in the game, thanks to his small stature, high pitched voice and red hair, Ball went on to manage several clubs including Manchester City, Southampton and Portsmouth with varied success.

However, he retired at the age of 54 after his second spell at Portsmouth and suffered several tragedies in his life - his daughter Mandy was diagnosed with cancer in the same year as his wife.

He said after the death of his wife: "But I won't marry again, because for Lesley, and for me, our marriage was forever."

In 2004, Ball controversially sold his World Cup winners medal for £140,000 and gave the money to his three children, having discussed the matter with his wife.

Friend and former manager Lawrie McMenemy told BBC Breakfast that he should have been playing golf with Ball for a heart appeal this morning.

He said of Ball: "He had an enthusiasm for life, not just for football but for life in general."

He said Ball was " much loved and respected" and described the World Cup team as a "tight-knit family".

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