James Ball

Stockport County Ball signed for Stockport County on 6 September 2016, a month after scoring against them for Stalybridge. He had previously played under manager Jim Gannon at Northwich Victoria. He debuted the following day in a 2–1 away defeat to Darlington, scoring Stockport's goal. In March 2017, he signed a new two-year contract,

Contracted to Stockport for the 2017–18 season, Ball continued to play regularly in the centre of midfield throughout the season. and a 94th-minute winner in a 3–2 victory over Bradford Park Avenue a week later, helping Stockport secure a fifth-place finish and qualification for the National League North play-offs. Ball made 48 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals, as Stockport were defeated in the qualifying round of the play-offs. Stevenage manager Dino Maamria recommended Ball to chairman Phil Wallace in December 2017, describing him as one of the most highly regarded players in non-League football. He made his debut in the opening match of the 2018–19 season, scoring the first goal in a 2–2 draw with Tranmere Rovers at Broadhall Way. He was initially a regular starter in midfield but appeared predominantly as a substitute from October 2018. Ball was brought on as an 11th-minute substitute against Crawley Town on 12 January 2019, deployed as a striker, and scored both goals in a 2–1 victory. Maamria praised his work-rate and adaptability in the unfamiliar role.

Ebbsfleet United After being transfer-listed by Stevenage, Ball joined National League club Ebbsfleet United on 15 July 2019. He made his debut in the opening match of the 2019–20 season in a 4–1 home defeat to FC Halifax Town, and scored his only goal for the club in a 2–1 away victory against Boreham Wood on 29 August 2019.

Solihull Moors Ball signed for Solihull Moors for an undisclosed fee on 4 October 2019, on a contract running until June 2021. Ball finished the 2020–21 season as joint-top goalscorer for Solihull with 11 goals from 34 appearances in all competitions.

Rochdale Ball scored three goals in 16 appearances for Solihull during the first half of the 2021–22 season, before signing for League Two club Rochdale on 31 January 2022 for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year contract. He scored on his debut in a 2–1 defeat to Forest Green Rovers on 8 February 2022, In the 2022–23 season, he scored four goals in 36 appearances as Rochdale were relegated to the National League.

AFC Wimbledon While under contract at Rochdale, Ball joined AFC Wimbledon on a free transfer on 24 July 2023. He debuted in a 1–1 EFL Cup draw with Coventry City on 9 August 2023 and scored his only goal of the 2023–24 season later that month in a 1–1 draw with Forest Green Rovers, making 36 appearances. He remained with Wimbledon for the 2024–25 season after discussions with manager Johnnie Jackson, He was released by Wimbledon at the end of the season.

Swindon Town Ball signed for League Two club Swindon Town on a two-year contract on 4 June 2025.

Style of play Ball was initially deployed as a striker during his time in the academies at Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers. League Two

2026–27 League Two

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Honours AFC Wimbledon EFL League Two play-offs: 2025