England's 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball has died from a heart attack while tackling a fire in his garden, police said on Wednesday. He was 61.
At 21, Ball was the youngest member of England's only World Cup-winning team. His tireless man-of-the-match performance in the 4-2 defeat of West Germany in the final typified his attitude to soccer.
The England legend collapsed and died outside his home after attempting to fight a blaze that had got out of control, police said, adding that his death was not being treated as suspicious.
Ball is the second member of the side to die. Captain Bobby Moore died of cancer in 1993.
Ball played 72 times for his country between 1965 and 1975, scoring eight goals and captaining the side six times.
The former Arsenal and Everton midfielder also forged a career in management, taking charge at Southampton, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
Ball's son Jimmy said his father had watched on television as Manchester United beat visitors AC Milan 3-2 in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.
"I was talking to him last night just after the football and he was in great form. We were talking about [Paul] Scholes' pass," he said from his father's home. "And then I got a phone call in the middle of the night. It's unbelievable and very, very sad."
"I would like him to be known as a nice man with a passion for football. He had a big heart and was very generous," he added.
Ball cut a distinctive figure with his diminutive stature, high-pitched voice and flame-red hair.
In the 1966 World Cup final, his cross set up striker Geoff Hurst's famously controversial goal that put England 3-2 ahead in extra time.
Hurst said fellow teammates were "all totally devastated" by Ball's death.
"He was the youngest member of the team and man of the match in the 1966 World Cup final," he said.
Born James Alan Ball on May 12, 1945 in Bolton, northwest England, he began his career with Blackpool, turning professional in May 1962 and making his league debut that year aged 17.
His tenacious performances caught the eye of England manager Alf Ramsey, who gave him his first cap in a 1-1 draw with Yugoslavia in Belgrade in May 1965.
He made it into Ramsey's World Cup squad and earned a ?110,000 (US$220,000) move to Everton in August 1966.
Ball made 208 league appearances for the Toffees, scoring 66 goals. Everton were 1968 FA Cup finalists and won the 1969-1970 English title.
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