Alan Ball Sr.
James Alan Ball was an English football player and manager.
Born in Farnworth, Lancashire, Ball played as an inside forward for Bolton Boys Federation, Southport, Birmingham City, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale.
Started his managerial career as player-boss of Oswestry Town, then managed Borough United, Ashton United and Nantwich Town, leaving the Dabbers to take up a coaching role with Stoke City. He managed Halifax Town in two separate spells and, and in between these he managed Preston North End between 1970 and 1973 winning the Division 3 title, and Southport, IF Saab and IK Sirius. Ball managed Djurgårdens IF in 1979.
He was killed in a car accident in Nicosia, Cyprus, in January 1982 at the age of 57.
His son Alan Jr. played in England's 1966 World Cup-winning team and later followed his father into management.
