London: Alan Ball, the youngest member of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966, has died. He was 61.
Hampshire Police said Ball was found collapsed outside his home after attempting to fight a fire in his garden. Ball apparently died of a heart attack during the night, said his son Jimmy, on Wednesday.
Neighbours saw a fire engine arrive last night, but there didn't appear to be any major incident.
"From what we can gather, our father was at his compost heap which caught alight. Whilst trying to fight the fire, he suffered a fatal heart attack," Jimmy Ball said.
"I got a phone call in the middle of the night. It's unbelievable and very, very sad," he added.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair paid tribute to Ball.
"The Prime Minister is saddened by Alan Ball's death, and hugely admired him," said his official spokesman.
Ball won 72 caps in a 10-year England career. The midfielder began at Blackpool and later played at Everton, Arsenal and Southampton before ending his career in the United States.
The 21-year-old Ball was a key player in coach Alf Ramsey's "Wingless Wonders" when England beat West Germany 4-2 in the World Cup final at Wembley. He was awarded an MBE in 2000 for services to football.
"He was probably the best player that day and if it and not been for his impact the result could have been totally different," said former England teammate Bobby Charlton.
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"He was a sensational little player with great touch and great vision. He had great close control and although he wasn't a fast player, he didn't need to be. He could see things clearly and always made the right decisions," Charlton
said.
Ball is the second member of the 1966 team to die. The captain, Bobby Moore, died of cancer in 1993.
"He was the youngest member of our squad and we were all looking forward to our latest reunion in two weeks," Charlton said of Ball.
"I am very sad and shocked by the new. Alan will be badly misse."
Blackpool players will observe a minute's silence before Saturday's League One game with Scunhorpe ad wear black armbands to honour Ball, who played 116 games for the club.
There will also be a minute's silence before Everton's Premier League match against Machester United on Saturday with flags flying at half-mast at Goodison Park a a mark of respect for Ball.
Southampton will start a book of condolence for Ball, who helped the Saints win promotion to the first division in 1978 as part of two playing stints at the club, and later returned as manager.
"He wil also be warmly remebered as one of English football's great characters, who left a lasting imprint on the game he loved," England coach Steve McClaren said.
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