Alan Ball Sr.

Managerial career Ball started his managerial career as player-boss of Oswestry Town, then managed Borough United, Ashton United and Nantwich, helping the Cheshire side to a treble of Mid-Cheshire League, League Cup and Cheshire Amateur Cup in 1963/64. In the summer of 1966, he left the Dabbers to take up a coaching role with Stoke City. He managed Halifax Town in two separate spells (1967–1970) and (1976–1977), 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.

Outside football Ball also had stints as a publican. While at Oswestry Town he kept the King's Head in Church Street, Oswestry.

Death He was killed in a car accident in Nicosia, Cyprus, in January 1982 at the age of 57.

Ball is the great-grandfather of professional footballers John McAtee and James McAtee.