Career
Born in Hastings, Ball began his career in central defence but eventually moved into central midfield. He played 389 games for in all competitions, scoring 27 goals. His career took off with a spell at Portsmouth and, after leaving, he had spells at Fulham and Burnley.
Between 6 March and 8 May 2006 Ball acted as caretaker manager for the last ten games of the 2005-2006 season following the sacking of Mick McCarthy, taking five points from these games.
Although Ball expressed his interest in the manager"s job on a full-time basis, incoming chairman Niall Quinn was keen for the club to appoint a "world-class manager" following the club"s takeover by the Drumaville Consortium, ruling Ball out of the running. Ball remained at under the new regime, returning to his former post of assistant academy manager.
Manager Martin O"Neill promoted Ball to become the club"s senior professional development coach in July 2012, which includes being responsible for the club"s reserve team and the club"s under-21 players. In 2013 he again became caretaker manager following the sacking of Paolo Di Canio.
Honours and As a player Solid Gold XI.
