Alan Ball - 1966 -1971:

In order for Everton to obtain the services of one the brightest stars in England, Everton had to pay a British record transfer fee of £110,000 to Blackpool for the signature of Alan Ball. He had just starred in England's World Cup win and several club's were queuing up to sign him, with Everton being the eventual winners.

Ball made his debut in the first game of the 1966-67 season, away to Fulham, and marked it with the only goal in a 1-0 win. Seven days later Ball's love affair with Evertonians everywhere was set alight. The first Merseyside derby was just three games into the season and 64,318 spectators were inside Goodison Park to witness a 3-1 Everton victory With Alan Ball scoring twice. Later that season Ball was to upset Liverpool again when he scored the only goal in the FA Cup 5th round, a game watched by over 100,000 at both Goodison and at a live screening at Anfield.

His first season saw Ball head the Everton scoring charts with 18 goals in all competitions and repeated the fete the following season when he was joint top scorer with Joe Royle with 20 goals. Although he did not score in the FA Cup this season he did help the team to reach the FA Cup final but ended up on the losing side as West Bromwich Albion won 1-0.

Despite the disappointment of losing the final Evertonians saw the birth of a midfield trio that was to become possibly the best in the club's history and one of the finest in the country.

Season 1968-69 saw Everton finish third behind champions Leeds United and Liverpool and were the top scorers in the top flight, Ball yet again hit double figures with 18 goals. The following season was to see Ball, and the team, reach the pinnacle of English football. Along with Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall, Ball orchestrated things from midfield as Everton stormed to the League title, winning by a nine point margin from Leeds United (only 2 points were awarded for a win at this time).

Everton suffered near misses the next season with a FA Cup semi final defeat and reaching the European Cup quarter final, the club took the defeats badly and did not recover. Ball himself found it difficult to take but was ready for the fight to bring more success to Everton, unfortunately this was not to be. Season 1971-72 saw the team struggle and by the mid November had only scored 13 goals in 16 games but when Southampton came to Goodison and were dispatched 8-0 everyone thought it was to a turning point.

Alan Ball scored the fifth goal that day but nobody thought that would be the last in an Everton shirt, the following month the club sold him to Arsenal for a record fee of £220,000. There was widespread consternation and disbelief amongst all Evertonians at the sale, Ball himself did not know until the last minute. His departure was deeply missed both on and off the field and it took the team a while to come to terms with his leaving.

During his time with Everton Alan Ball won a League Championship medal, a Charity Shield winners medal and won 39 England caps

Everton playing record (figures in brackets are substitution appearances):

League appearances 208, goals 66

FA Cup appearances 21, goals 5

League Cup appearances 10, goals 3

European appearances 10, goals 4

Other Appearances 1, Goals 0