Alan Ball – The Greatest?

It was interesting reading the proposal that Alan Ball may be the greatest of Everton players of all time, although I was a bit shocked.

There is no doubt that Alan Ball was a good player but I think it’s an overestimation to rate him as the greatest. I watched plenty of the games in the 1960s and there was a lot of frustration from supporters as well as praise.

Ball was a good player with high skills – close control , abundant energy, good anticipation and making space for himself, especially making himself available to other team players. He lost his marker by basically playing in a privileged role of going wherever he wanted. In the present team Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is similar. He was often the most noticeable player on the pitch.

So, a class player, but some aspects of his play could be considered weaknesses. He was a poor tackler. He excelled in short passing which enabled possession and containment rather than switching play and attacking. He tended to take the ball to feed Morrissey on the left wing to initiate attacks. Ball often delayed quick attacks.

I remember the Alan Ball signing being welcomed but hotly debated. Everton had had a strike force of Roy Vernon as striker and Alex Young as semi-striker. Then had Fred Pickering striking and Young as semi-striker. Ball replaced Young which added to the midfield possession but reduced the striking capability. Joe Royle came in as an inexperienced striker and Young got moved to the right wing where he was less effective (and getting older). There was some discontent about Harry Catterick's decisions.

The Everton teams I watched in the 1960s were great teams – near the top of the league most years and winning the league at both the beginning and end of the decade. Ray Wilson and Brian Labone were outstanding. I consider Alex Young more highly than Bally – but they played different roles in overlapping times.

In considering midfield players historically I rate Peter Reid and Tim Cahill higher than Ball. Comparisons are difficult – in last seasons team both Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner were excellent in different roles – but who would you rate better?. Dewsbury-Hall reminded me of Ball but can tackle better, Garner reminded me of Howard Kendall.

Ball was surprisingly sold to Arsenal while still a top player. I noticed an Arsenal website rated Alan Ball as 45^th in their top 50 players list.

Who would I place as top player among the Everton teams I have seen? If goalkeepers are included , a few Everton keepers would be in my top ten and Jordon Pickford would top it. He is the best England keeper I have seen.