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Ronaldo's not a patch on Bally and Sir Tom
6:30am Saturday 26th April 2008
At present there's a TV commercial to the tune of Catch a Falling Star'. This was one of Alan Ball's favourites and he actually used to do all the actions to the song.
This week saw the anniversary of the loss of the great Alan and, when I hear that song, it make me feel like he's up there still looking down on us.
I miss him so much.
Legend is a word used fairly loosely in sport in particular but nobody can argue that the little man with the short name was recognised throughout Britain certainly and also the football world in whichever country it was played.
It wasn't just what he achieved in 1966 in being one of the very few English players to win a World Cup medal.
It was how he gained the respect of supporters of every team but in particular the clubs that he actually played for.
It is well known down here in the south that he was one of the very few who had the same respect from supporters of both Portsmouth and Southampton.
His first steps into management were not that easy for him.
Like some of his fellow international stars before him, such as Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst and particularly Bobby Moore, the better player they were the harder it was to understand how to handle average players when they went into management.
The players they had could not do thethings which they could do naturally and easily.
But certainly by the time he took over at Fratton Park and the Dell, he had got to grips with the reality of the job and the results he got were there for all to see.
Ironically last week another true legend from the same area as Alan was down in these parts.
Sir Tom Finney is actually now 86-years-old and still lives in Preston, which was his one and only club.
He actually won the footballer of the year award in 1954 and 1957 and incidentally this year's PFA awards ceremony will be held in London tomorrow night.
Whoever wins it, probably someone like Ronaldo, in my opinion whilst being a terrific entertainer he has got a long way to go to reach the heights of Sir Tom and Alan.
For all our Lawrie's views, don't miss today's Daily Echo.
Your Say YourEcho
US Spitfire, USA says...
3:46pm Sat 26 Apr 08
There's no doubt he has talent and is probably the best player in the prem at the moment but he will never earn the respect of people like the real class players until he start relying on his talent and stops falling over and trying to con and cheat his way through games.
Jesus_02, kingsland says...
8:39pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Does anyone check grammer at the echco?
try something like
Sir Tom Finney won the footballer of the year in 1954 and 1957.
Ronaldo is the favorite to win this year's award ceremony to be held in London tomorrow night.
While Ronaldo is a terrific entertainer in my opinion he has got a long way to go to reach the heights of either Sir Tom and Alan.
Jesus_02, Kingsland says...
8:55pm Sat 26 Apr 08
PaddyB, Exiled Saint. wrote:Well said Paddy,
You're mad! I'm **** near seventy and I've seen most of the "leg-ends" in my time, but no matter how much it may be unpopular to say it, Ronaldo's the greatest footballing talent I've ever seen.
Im not sure how long he will last, I wouldnt be at all surprised if his knees give out, but in my opinion, modern footballers are a different class.
In their own time, Alan Ball and Sir Tom Finney were exceptional players. That is why they are legends.
Only time will tell if Ronaldo proves to be exceptional amongst his peers
David Crook, Yorkshire says...
9:43pm Sat 26 Apr 08
What a silly statement,how on earth can you compere Alan Ball to Ronaldo,they are completely different style players.
David Crook
Mr C Ronaldo, Manchester says...
8:56pm Sun 27 Apr 08
georgieboy, london says...
8:39pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Your sayYourEcho
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The late Alan Ball.
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PaddyB, Exiled Saint., Salop, England says...
11:39am Sat 26 Apr 08
I'm **** near seventy and I've seen most of the "leg-ends" in my time, but no matter how much it may be unpopular to say it, Ronaldo's the greatest footballing talent I've ever seen.