Background
Ballard was born in Brentford and spent the war years working in a munitions factory in Hayes, Middlesex.
Ballard was born in Brentford and spent the war years working in a munitions factory in Hayes, Middlesex.
His birthplace was only 50 yards from Griffin Park and he played a few matches for Brentford"s reserves before signing as a professional for Leyton Orient in April 1946. He spent the 1946-1947 season playing for Orient in the Third Division South before moving to The Dell in June 1947, with Bill Stroud moving in the opposite direction. He made his debut for Southampton at home to West Ham United on 31 January 1948, replacing the injured Joe Mallett at centre half.
After a run of eight games, he lost his place and spent the next season in the reserves.
In 1949-1950 and 1950-1951 he made occasional starts, covering for Bill Ellerington at right-back and either Bill Rochford or Norman Kirkman at left-back. Unable to make either position his own, he was given a free transfer in August 1952, returning to Leyton Orient, under Alec Stock.
At Orient he failed to break into the first team and in 1953 joined Snowdown Colliery Welfare in the Kent League for three seasons. He then had spells as manager with Ashford Town and Hastings United.
He became manager of the Clarence public house in Hastings for a few years before becoming a franchising officer for Green Shield Stamps during the 1970s.
He spent his retirement in Street Leonards-on-Sea and died in June 2008, one week short of his 88th birthday.
