Football's legends remember Ball
Footballing greats are turning out along with hundreds of mourners at the funeral of World Cup legend Alan Ball.
The 61-year-old former member of the 1966 England squad was found dead at his home in Warsash, Hants, last week.
He died of a heart attack while putting out a small fire that had broken out in a compost heap in his garden.
The funeral service is being held at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday. Speakers will relay the service to the crowds outside.
Mourners at the funeral will be led by Ball's son Jimmy, 31, and daughters Mandy Byrne, 39, and Keely Allan, 35.
Lawrie McMenemy was among mourners at the Winchester service
Their mother, Ball's wife Lesley, died three years ago from cancer.
Speaking outside the cathedral before the service, former Southampton manager Dave Merrington, said: "His awareness and perception of the game was absolutely terrific.
"The thing I liked about Alan was when I worked with him he was a simple guy, what you saw was what you got."
Dave Watson, who played alongside Ball for England and Southampton, told BBC News 24 his memories of the youngest member of the 1966 squad: "He was a model professional, always perky, always optimistic and a great example to everybody else. He was enthusiastic and it was catching, you know.
"You never saw the dark side."
Squad members attend
Ball was the youngest member of the England side that won the World Cup in 1966.
Several members of that squad are attending, including Jack Charlton, centre-half and former Republic of Ireland manager, goalkeeper Gordon Banks, full-back George Cohen and striker Roger Hunt.
Lawrie McMenemy, who signed Ball for Southampton, remembered him as an outstanding role model. He said: "He was a wonderful example to all the young players we had."
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson, who played alongside Ball at Highbury in the 1970s, said: "Well, he was a magnificent footballer, and a magnificent human being.
"You know, he's just an infectious character, an enthusiast, not just for football but for life itself.
"Everybody here today just loved the little guy, and we're going to miss him."
Ball also won 72 caps for his country in a 10-year career and he made a total of 743 League appearances for Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal and Southampton.
He later managed seven clubs including Manchester City, Southampton and Portsmouth.
