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National Football Museum pays tribute to Alan Ball
It was with great sadness that the National Football Museum heard of the sudden death of England football hero, Alan Ball, on 24 April.
Alan Ball has been a supporter of the Museum since it first opened and visited several times. He was also a great champion of the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. Inducted in 2003, Ball attended the awards ceremony every year.
At the 2006 Hall of Fame event, he presented the award to his 1966 team-mate, Martin Peters, and said the following generous words for which the Museum will always be grateful:
"It is one of the proudest moments in your life when someone calls you to say you are in the Hall of Fame. Words cannot describe it. The Museum is a fantastic place to go and should be congratulated for the Hall of Fame. It is a marvellous thing. Let's keep it going."
Kevin Moore, National Football Museum Director, states: "Alan Ball was one of the all time legends of the game and a good friend of the National Football Museum. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. He is greatly missed and will always be remembered."
The Museum will have a book of condolences for visitors to sign. A poem previously written by Paul Cookson, poet in residence, will be on display. As a mark of respect an England flag is being flown at half-mast.
Film footage of Alan Ball at the 2006 Hall of Fame event can be seen in the Hall of Fame display at the National Football Museum.