APRIL 24 marked the death of world cup-winning footballer Alan Ball.

The former Everton, Arsenal and Southampton player was one of English football's treasures and the football community will certainly feel a change in his absence.

Ball played in the famous 1966 final and was widely seen as the best player on the pitch.

As well as this, he was the youngest player in the team, at just 21, putting on a sparkling performance.

He also set up that most famous of all goals, disputed by the opposition as to whether it crossed the line, but given by the Russian linesman He was a regular joker among the players and a favourite for changing room banter.

Alan Ball was a character on and off the pitch and will be sadly missed.